🔗 Share this article

The head of the US Department of Homeland Security reportedly approved the purchase of Spirit Airlines jets before learning that the airline did not actually own the aircraft – and that the planes were missing power plants.

This bizarre incident was contained in a investigation published on Friday, which described how the official and a ex- political strategist had recently arranged to purchase ten Boeing 737 planes from the airline. People familiar with the situation told the paper that the two intended to use the planes to increase deportation flights – and for personal travel.

Those sources also claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had warned them that purchasing aircraft would be far more expensive than simply increasing existing flight contracts.

ICE facing intense criticism after footage apparently shows unconscious man clutching child during arrest.

Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second instance in the summer, did not own the jets and their engines would have had to be acquired independently. The plan has since been halted, according to the report.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers on the House appropriations committee said in the autumn that during this fall's record-long federal shutdown, the DHS had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a federal shutdown, the United States Coast Guard signed a sole source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for you and the deputy, at a cost to the public of $200m,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a communication to the DHS.

A department representative informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were incorrect but declined to provide additional clarification.

The legislature had previously approved the termed “big, beautiful bill” in July, which dedicates roughly $170bn for immigration and border security operations, a sum that makes ICE the most well-funded federal agency in the US government.

In the autumn, it was revealed that the administration was transporting individuals detained as part of its deportation agenda in ways that violated their constitutionally protected rights, often by air.

Confidential information reviewed from charter airline GlobalX outlined the journeys of thousands of immigrants who have been shuttled around the country before deportation.