The future of 5 million undocumented immigrants is now uncertain after a federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked Obama's executive action on immigration and the White House announced the Department of Justice will appeal the decision.

Federal Judge Andrew Hanen issued the preliminary injunction following a lawsuit by a coalition of 26 states that oppose Obama’s action, and which according to him, could suffer an irreparable and irreversible harm.

Obama’s actions would expand the deferred action program for undocumented youth implemented in 2012 by allowing an additional number of "dreamers" to apply for a protection from deportation and a work permit starting this Wednesday. 

Additionally, they would allow parents of American citizens or residents to apply for the same protections starting May 19.

"The district court's decision wrongly prevents these lawful, commonsense policies from taking effect”, said the White House in a statement.

Across the nation, proimmigrant organizations have expressed their opposition to the court's decision. 

“The decision by Judge Hanen comes as no surprise and is a clear example of anti-immigrant sentiment in this country that goes all the way up to our judicial system”, said Juntos, based in Philadelphia.

The organization advised affected families to continue preparing to apply and getting their documents in order. 

“The President’s executive action is constitutional and well within his authority. We are confident that this decision will be overturned promptly by appeal”, Juntos said.

“Immigrants in Pennsylvania are moving forward regardless of today’s ruling, and will continue to get ready for the deferred action programs that will give tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians the chance to live, work, and stay in America with their families,” said Natasha Kelemen, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition. “Hundreds of legal scholars agree that the President's executive action on immigration are constitutional and within his authority. We are confident that the court system will reject this meritless lawsuit that only wastes taxpayer dollars, disenfranchises immigrant workers and families, and robs much needed revenue from state economies.” 

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson said DHS will not begin accepting requests for the expansion of DACA this Wednesday, as originally planned. He also suspended the plan to accept requests for DAPA until further notice

“The Department of Justice, legal scholars, immigration experts and even other courts have said that our actions are well within our legal authority,” Johnson said. “We fully expect to ultimately prevail in the courts, and we will be prepared to implement DAPA and expanded DACA once we do.”

He also emphasized what the District Court’s decision does not affect existing DACA and that Individuals may continue to come forward and request initial grant of DACA or renewal of DACA pursuant to the guidelines established in 2012. 

"We may be delayed, but we will not be deterred." @RepGutierrez stmt on prelim injunction of #ImmigrationAction http://t.co/rvR8aGgdBU

— Luis V. Gutierrez (@RepGutierrez) February 17, 2015

Many cities in states that filed the #ImmigrationAction lawsuit support the President’s #immigration policies → http://t.co/fPv8lxp1HY

— Immigration Policy (@ImmPolicyCenter) February 17, 2015

Over 130 law professors disagree with Texas judge, say #ImmigrationAction initiatives are legal → http://t.co/ytc3rYKaXS #immigration

— Immigration Policy (@ImmPolicyCenter) February 17, 2015

I'm angry, they do nothing in Congress to solve the issue, now they stop a thoughtful program that protects children #immigrationaction

— Gaby Pacheco (@GabyPacheco1) February 17, 2015

Despite the #TXDecision, we are confident this ruling will not stand. Eligible candidates should continue preparing. http://t.co/wLwKwCfPiy

— NCLR (@NCLR) February 17, 2015

The injunction in TX is an anti-immigrant political stunt, a scare tactic. But we dont scare so easily. #not1more - http://t.co/uAZ7vkYvsm

— Juntos (@Vamos_Juntos_) February 17, 2015