Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel declared the city a "Trump-free zone" after the Trump administration announced it was rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program Tuesday.

The program, enacted by former President Barack Obama in 2012, protected people under the age of 18 who were brought to the U.S. illegally from deportation.

"To all the Dreamers that are here in this room, and in the city of Chicago, you are welcomed in the city of Chicago. This is your home and you have nothing to worry about," Emanuel told students during their first day of school.

"Chicago, our schools, our neighborhoods, our city, as it relates to what President Trump said, will be a Trump-free zone. You have nothing to worry about," the mayor continued.

To all #DREAMers: You are welcome in the City of Chicago. This is your home. Come to school and pursue your dreams. #DACA #ChicagoisOne pic.twitter.com/YbnEpxqbuG— Mayor Rahm Emanuel (@ChicagosMayor) September 5, 2017

Attorney General Jeff Sessions defended the Trump administration's decision Tuesday, saying it ended the "lawlessness" enabled by Obama's executive action.

"Such an open-ended circumvention of immigration laws was an unconstitutional exercise of authority by the Executive Branch," Sessions said.