🔗 Share this article

The secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security reportedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airlines jets before discovering that the carrier did not truly possess the planes – and that the aircraft were missing engines.

This bizarre incident was detailed in a investigation released on the end of the week, which recounted how the official and a ex- political strategist had recently arranged to purchase ten Boeing 737 planes from Spirit Airlines. People familiar with the situation told the paper that the two intended to use the planes to expand deportation flights – and for personal travel.

Those insiders also stated that ICE officials had warned them that buying planes would be far more expensive than simply increasing current charter agreements.

ICE confronting intense criticism after video apparently shows unresponsive individual clutching child during detention.

Complicating matters further, the airline, which entered bankruptcy protection for the second instance in the summer, did not possess the jets and their engines would have had to be acquired separately. The plan has since been paused, according to the investigation.

In the interim, Democrats on the House funding panel said in October that during this fall's record-long government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already purchased two Gulfstream aircraft for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a government shutdown, the US Coast Guard entered into a sole source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to procure two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for you and the deputy, at a expense to the public of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a letter to the DHS.

A department representative informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the plane purchases were incorrect but declined to offer additional clarification.

The legislature had earlier authorized the so-called “big, beautiful bill” in July, which dedicates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border-related operations, a sum that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most heavily funded federal agency in the US government.

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

Leaked data reviewed from private airline Global Crossing detailed the travels of thousands of individuals who have been transported around the country before removal.