Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says he confirmed Thursday that the nearly 850 immigrants currently serving in the military or waiting to start basic training won't face deportation despite the ongoing federal wrangling over the fate of people who came to America illegally as children.

Mattis says he called Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and was told that those military members and all veterans who were honorably discharged will be safe unless they have committed a serious felony or a judge had issued a specific deportation order for them.

President Donald Trump said in September he was terminating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which provided protection from deportation for people brought to America as children who are living here illegally.

Previously, officials said the military members' status wasn't clear.