🔗 Share this article

The head of the United States Department of Homeland Security reportedly approved the acquisition of Spirit Airlines jets before learning that the airline did not truly possess the aircraft – and that the aircraft were missing engines.

This strange incident was detailed in a report released on the end of the week, which recounted how the secretary and a former campaign manager had recently arranged to buy 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from the airline. People familiar with the situation informed the outlet that the pair intended to use the planes to expand removal flights – and for private use.

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

ICE facing fierce backlash after footage apparently shows unresponsive individual holding child during detention.

Making the situation more complex, the airline, which entered bankruptcy protection for the second time in the summer, did not possess the aircraft and their power plants would have had to be acquired independently. The plan has since been halted, according to the investigation.

In the interim, Democratic lawmakers on the House appropriations committee said in the autumn that during this season's record-long federal shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already acquired two Gulfstream aircraft for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a government shutdown, the United States Coast Guard signed a sole source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to procure two new G700 luxury jets to support travel for the secretary and the deputy secretary, at a cost to the public of $200m,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to the department.

A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the plane purchases were inaccurate but declined to offer further details.

Congress had previously authorized the termed “major immigration bill” in the summer, which dedicates roughly $170 billion for immigration and border-related operations, a sum that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most heavily funded federal agency in the federal government.

In September, it was revealed that the government was moving immigrants held as part of its removal program in ways that violated their constitutionally protected rights, often by air.

Confidential information reviewed from private airline Global Crossing detailed the journeys of thousands of individuals who have been transported around the country before deportation.