🔗 Share this article

The head of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airlines jets before discovering that the carrier did not actually own the planes – and that the aircraft were missing engines.

This bizarre anecdote was detailed in a report released on the end of the week, which recounted how the secretary and a former campaign manager had recently attempted to buy 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge told the paper that the pair planned to use the planes to expand deportation flights – and for private use.

Those insiders also claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had cautioned them that purchasing aircraft would be significantly costlier than simply expanding current charter agreements.

ICE confronting intense criticism after video reportedly shows unresponsive individual clutching child during arrest.

Complicating matters further, the airline, which filed for bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in August, did not possess the jets and their power plants would have had to be bought independently. The plan has since been paused, according to the report.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers on the House funding panel said in October that during this fall's record-long government shutdown, the DHS had already acquired two Gulfstream aircraft for $200m.

“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 to procure two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for the secretary and the deputy secretary, at a cost to the public of $200 million,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to the DHS.

A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that some details in the report about the aircraft acquisitions were inaccurate but declined to provide additional clarification.

Congress had previously authorized the termed “big, beautiful bill” in July, which dedicates roughly $170bn for immigration and border-related operations, a amount that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most well-funded federal agency in the federal government.

In September, it was reported that the government was moving immigrants held as part of its deportation agenda in ways that violated their constitutionally protected rights, often by plane.

Confidential information examined from charter airline Global Crossing detailed the travels of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been shuttled around the nation before removal.