🔗 Share this article

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

This bizarre anecdote was detailed in a investigation published on the end of the week, which recounted how the secretary and a former political strategist had recently arranged to buy 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the pair planned to use the jets to expand removal flights – and for private use.

Those insiders also stated that ICE agents had warned them that buying planes would be far more expensive than simply increasing existing flight contracts.

Immigration officials confronting intense criticism after video reportedly shows unresponsive individual holding infant during arrest.

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

In the interim, Democrats on the House funding panel said in the autumn that during this fall's historically lengthy government shutdown, the DHS had already acquired two Gulfstream aircraft for $200 million.

“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a government shutdown, the United States Coast Guard signed a single-source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury aircraft to support travel for the secretary and the deputy secretary, at a cost to the public of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a letter to the department.

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

Congress had earlier authorized the termed “major immigration bill” in July, which dedicates roughly $170bn for immigration and border security operations, a amount that makes ICE the most well-funded federal agency in the US government.

In the autumn, it was revealed that the administration was moving immigrants detained as part of its deportation agenda in ways that breached their constitutionally protected rights, often by plane.

Confidential information reviewed from private airline GlobalX detailed the travels of thousands of immigrants who have been shuttled around the nation before removal.