ICE has confirmed that deportations of illegal immigrants will continue despite the government’s response to the virus.

According to Fox News:

Acting Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli on Thursday sought to clarify a statement from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that indicated it was halting most deportations due to the coronavirus outbreak — with Cuccinelli pledging that deportations would still go ahead, but with increased safety precautions.

“In light of widespread misreporting, clarification of ICE’s recent announcement about enforcement during the COVID-19 situation is needed,” Cuccinelli said in a statement.

(3/5) This means that @ICEgov will continue to prioritize arresting and removing criminal aliens and other aliens who pose a threat to public safety, just as it always has during President @realDonaldTrump‘s administration.

— Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli (@HomelandKen) March 19, 2020

ICE said Wednesday that its enforcement and removal operations (ERO) would focus on “public safety risks and individuals subject to mandatory detention based on criminal grounds.”

“For those individuals who do not fall into those categories, ERO will exercise discretion to delay enforcement actions until after the crisis or utilize alternatives to detention, as appropriate,” the statement said.

Updated ICE statement on #COVID19: https://t.co/JyQ3d2Nsl3 pic.twitter.com/PxgAy2aSX8

— ICE (@ICEgov) March 19, 2020

Some have called on ICE to release detainees but that does not seem to be an option that is on the table for the Trump administration.