[If I understand the comments correctly, any time a subject is popular, the president can do as he pleases]
*cough*Judicial branch*cough*
[why have a legislative branch?]
As we see with DACA, EOs (aside from other limitations) are trumped by legislation, ie. EOs are not equivalent to codified laws.
[Putting the onus on congress to make a law is the smart thing to do.]
Only if one is completely ignorant of the legal context when it comes to immigration law.  Given the context (twice tried and failed while Obama was in office not to mention the general "do-nothing" Congressional trend over the last few y ears) makes this more about avoiding blame.  When DACA recipients start suffering it gives Trump the opportunity to point fingers at others as is his wont.