It's obvious to everyone including the Trump administration (and if you read the NYT piece ultimately that mean Chief of Staff Kelly) that DACA recipients are screwed.  Here's some context:
Obama, unlike Trump, was a full-on supporter of immigration reform and protecting innocents and Congress still couldn't act.  Even after Obama created the DACA standard and a bi-partisan Senate subsequently passed an immigration bill it still died in the House.
Trump is just looking for some political out from being between a rock (his political base/potential law suit) and a hard place (another popular program).  Just like with repealing the ACA he's setting up a situation where he can blame Congress rather than accept any responsibility.