Donald Trump’s administration is considering ending the legal status of thousands of Syrians living in the US, leaving many in fear of possible deportation.

A group of around 7,000 Syrians have been given temporary protected status (TPS), but the legal designation is set to expire on 30 September.

The Trump administration has to decide to extend the refugee programme by the end of Thursday, or the group will automatically lose their status at the end of next month.

If the Department of Homeland Security chooses not to renew it, the refugees will have to leave America, be deported back to Syria, or fight to find a new form of legal status in the US.

“The anxiety and uncertainty that is there in the back of your mind at all times is stressful … it’s difficult to live with,” the 23-year-old Monzer Shakally, a dental student living in Iowa City, told ABC News.

Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year Show all 17 1 /17 Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year Nagan, 12, is one of 180,000 Syrian refugee children Unicef has identified as OOSC (Out Of School Children) who have been forced into work in Lebanon Paddy Dowling Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year The majestic snow capped mountains overlooking al-Wafa refugee camp in Arsal, Lebanon. It is home to 700 refugees who fled their homes at the outbreak of civil war in 2012 Paddy Dowling Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year Fuda al-Bareesh, 92, spends her days in solitude at Alsalam 2 camp in Arsal, Lebanon. She made the journey from Syria across the mountains alone on a donkey Paddy Dowling Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year Kareemah, 21, mother of two from Chebaa, southern Lebanon. She is unsure how her family will be able to afford basics like food and fuel if aid is cut off Paddy Dowling Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year Exercising patience in the cold, men and women wait to collect winter fuel at Alsalam camp, Arsal. Gifted by Muslim Aid UK donors, each family receives 20 litres – enough for two days of continuous heat Paddy Dowling Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year The view to the snow covered mountains through the cracked pane of glass at al-Wafa camp Paddy Dowling Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year At al-Wafa refugee camp in Arsal, Abdul Al Moamen, 10, sits in tears Paddy Dowling Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year Ahmed, 3, helps his eldest brother to move the empty plastic jerry cans along the line as they get refilled at a fuel distribution centre Paddy Dowling Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year Qaram, 8, was orphaned when her father was killed by Isis. She is in desperate need of an operation to save her sight. Instead of going to school, she works eight-hour shifts each day on a nearby farm Paddy Dowling Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year Ahmed Fawzi, Lebanon country director for Muslim Aid, comforts Abdul al-Moamen Paddy Dowling Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year Bisan, 5, plays with friends in among puddles of rainwater from recent storms Norma and Miriam Paddy Dowling Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year Amina Safadi is a beneficiary of the Primary Healthcare Centre in Chebaa, Lebanon. The ICRC-accredited facility welcomes the most marginalised Lebanese residents as well as Syrian refugees. Safadi says she has no idea what she would do if the service was unavailable Paddy Dowling Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year The queue for fuel at a fuel distribution centre in Arsal Paddy Dowling Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year Hadi, 6, waits with aid workers whilst his mother collects heating fuel for the family’s stove Paddy Dowling Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year Fuel bowser delivers aid to the 700 residents at al-Wafa camp Paddy Dowling Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year The child workers of Lebanon. Unicef says 180,000 children are working on farms and in factories Paddy Dowling Return to Lebanon: Syrian refugee crisis in its eighth year Ahmed Slabi and his five children. “What are my choices now for me and my family? It's bad here or worse in Syria.” He feels dependent on international aid, a social pariah and beggar in a country that is not his own Paddy Dowling

The Department of Homeland Security first designated people from Syria for TPS in 2012 because of the conflict raging across Bashar al-Assad’s war-torn country.

In January 2018, the Trump administration extended TPS for around 7,000 Syrians for another 18 months – but did not allow any Syrians who entered after August 2016 to apply.

TPS allows refugees to live, work or study in the US while conditions in their home country remain too dangerous for them to be there.

Syrian refugee in Knoxville feeds government workers during shutdown

A group of Democratic senators called on secretary of state Mike Pompeo and acting head of the Department for Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan to make sure the Syrians are offered continued protection.

“Armed conflict and extraordinary conditions prevail in Syria, making safe return impossible,” a letter signed by 2020 candidates Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris and Cory Booker stated.

“Should the Department of Homeland Security allow Syrian TPS designations to expire, it would force recipients and their families to make a nearly impossible choice about whether to return to dangerous conditions or stay in the United States and risk deportation.”

Michael Shakur, a 26-year-old stand-up comedian living in New York City told ABC News: “Going back would be literally a death sentence.