In Triangle, emotional reaction to immigration ruling

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- People against the Supreme Court's decision on President Barack Obama's executive order on Immigration Reform protested outside Gov. Pat McCrory's mansion Thursday.

The group says they are directly impacted by the decision. ABC 11 spoke to advocates Thursday who were deeply disappointed.

"It's terrible. It's terrible they are just being used as political pawns and their hopes are being used," said Viridiana Martinez of Immigration Alert.

RELATED: OBAMA IMMIGRATION PLAN BLOCKED BY 4-4 TIE AT SUPREME COURT

Martinez is safe from deportation, but she is concerned about those still at risk. She met the deadline for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program or DACA -- before the President's expanded measure to include more children and Deferred Action for Parent Arrivals -- also known as DAPA.

The Supreme Court's 4-4 tie on the issue impacts 4.5 million undocumented immigrants. In North Carolina, 120,000 people are potential affected, according to advocacy group El Centro Hispano. Gregorio Morales is one of them.

Morales and his wife have owned a Raleigh landscaping company for a decade.

Their two sons are born citizens. But the ruling means these parents risk deportation back to Mexico. "Really bad. Really sad," Morales said.

President Obama said violent criminals and new arrivals are on the priority list. For instance, new arrivals such as Wildin Acosta, The Riverside High teen is being held at a Georgia detention center awaiting his appeal.

Martinez is one of the advocates fighting to keep him here.

"Wildin is suffering. I don't know if he's going to last long enough to get out of there," Martinez said.

"I invite President Obama to go visit Wildin to go look into his eyes and tell him tell him thank you for trying to come to this country and seek refuge. Tell him that he was wrong, but he won't be able to," Martinez added.

El Centro Hispano released this statement:

"The United States Supreme Court announced the divided decision about the U.S vs. Texas case that will expand the immigration relieve DACA+ DAPA. This decision doesn't impact the current DACA program, only prohibits the extension. As many immigrants, we were hopeful that the decision will be in favor of the implementation of these programs that will help more than five million habitants.

This decision highlight the importance of the upcoming elections and motivate us to be a part of the change, taking advantage of the right and responsibility to vote."

Congressman G.K. Butterfield released a statement saying the Supreme Court's decision is disappointing and a setback.

Congressman Patrick McHenry says this is a victory for America's Constitution and the rule of law.