🔗 Share this article

The secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security allegedly approved the purchase of Spirit Airlines jets before discovering that the carrier did not actually own the planes – and that the planes were missing engines.

This bizarre anecdote was detailed in a report released on the end of the week, which described how the secretary and a ex- campaign manager had recently attempted to buy 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the two planned to use the jets to increase deportation flights – and for private use.

Those sources also claimed that ICE agents had cautioned them that buying planes would be significantly costlier than simply increasing existing flight contracts.

Immigration officials confronting intense criticism after footage reportedly shows unconscious man holding child during detention.

Making the situation more complex, the airline, which filed for bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in the summer, did not possess the jets and their power plants would have had to be bought separately. The proposal has since been paused, according to the investigation.

Meanwhile, Democrats on the House funding panel said in October that during this season's historically lengthy government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already acquired two Gulfstream jets for $200 million.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a federal shutdown, the US Coast Guard entered into a sole source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to acquire two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for the secretary and the deputy, at a cost to the public of $200 million,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a communication to the DHS.

A department representative informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the plane purchases were incorrect but refused to provide further details.

Congress had earlier authorized the termed “big, beautiful bill” in the summer, which allocates roughly $170bn for immigration and border security operations, a sum that makes ICE the most well-funded law enforcement agency in the federal government.

In September, it was revealed that the administration was moving individuals detained as part of its removal program in ways that violated their legal rights, often by plane.

Leaked data examined from charter airline GlobalX detailed the travels of tens of thousands of individuals who have been transported around the nation before deportation.