Immigration and Customs Enforcement has announced that they will be halting most deportations over coronavirus concerns.

The agency announced on Wednesday that they will “delay enforcement actions” and use “alternatives to detention” against individuals who are not an immediate public safety risk, “as appropriate.”

ICE said in a statement that the halt is to “ensure the welfare and safety of the general public as well as officers and agents in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic response.”

“ICE’s highest priorities are to promote life-saving and public safety activities,” the statement continued.

ICE told members of Congress that its “highest priorities are to promote lifesaving and public safety activities.”

“During the COVID-19 crisis, ICE will not carry out enforcement operations at or near health care facilities, such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, accredited health clinics, and emergent or urgent care facilities, except in the most extraordinary of circumstances,” the statement read. “Individuals should not avoid seeking medical care because they fear civil immigration enforcement.”

The Texas Tribune reports that ICE did not respond to questions about how many of the approximately 37,000 detainees it has in custody will remain there. Nearly 20,000 illegal aliens in ICE custody reportedly have some sort of criminal history.

A spokesperson for the agency also confirmed on Wednesday that none of their detainees have tested positive for coronavirus.

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