A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration’s efforts to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA - the Obama-era program that currently protects about 700,000 people brought to the U.S. as children.

The court said the decision was "arbitrary and capricious because the Department [of Homeland Security] failed to adequately explain its conclusion that the program was unlawful."

Immigration attorney Victoria Campos told News 12 that this is the third time this year that the courts have ruled against the Trump administration's attempts to end the program.

“How many judges can actually say, ‘You're wrong and you don't have the evidence to withdraw this program?’” she asked.

The 60-page ruling gives the federal government three months to try and better explain its reasons for getting rid of the program. If it doesn't, the judge ruled that the program would have to stay in place and the Department of Homeland Security would be required to accept new applications.

For some, the ruling was not what they wanted to hear.

“Do you understand the word illegal? It speaks for itself. Doesn't it? You tell me. They're here illegally. They're entitled to nothing,” said Ernie Rauch, of Syosset.

Others said the DACA recipients should be allowed to stay.

“If they want to stay, why not? They didn't do any harm to this country,” said Maurice Salander, of Hicksville.

Federal judges in Brooklyn and San Francisco each issued injunctions ordering the program to remain in place. The Supreme Court previously turned down a request by the White House that it immediately decide whether the Trump administration could shut down the program.