![In this StarNews file photo, a man holds three miniature American flags in downtown Wilmington during a rally to support legislation that would allow illegal immigrants to stay in the country.](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/2c41cbe851748725938b093e3231e017139b3b76/c=0-123-2464-1509/local/-/media/2020/08/26/WilmingtonNC/ghows_gallery-NC-614009998-e9da8a21.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
For thousands of North Carolina residents, their lives could soon be in limbo as their legality to work and live in the country changes.
These young North Carolinians are commonly known as Dreamers, or recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy.
As the policy reaches its 10th anniversary, more legal challenges are threatening DACA, leaving Dreamers and their advocates saying they feel frustrated and scared.
In New Hanover County, local immigration attorneys and their clients are advocating for new legislation to protect Dreamers.
“If you suddenly lost your work authorization, then you’re not able to work to support yourself, your family, to support your career goals, to use your degrees or higher education,” said Katherine Haddock, senior associate attorney for Helen Tarokic Law, an immigration law firm in Wilmington.