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The secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security reportedly approved the acquisition of Spirit Airlines aircraft before learning that the carrier did not actually own the planes – and that the aircraft lacked power plants.

This bizarre incident was detailed in a investigation published on the end of the week, which recounted how the secretary and a ex- political strategist had recently arranged to purchase ten Boeing 737 planes from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge told the paper that the two planned to use the planes to increase removal flights – and for private use.

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

Immigration officials confronting fierce backlash after footage reportedly shows unconscious man clutching infant during arrest.

Complicating matters further, the airline, which filed for bankruptcy proceedings for the second instance in August, did not possess the aircraft and their engines would have had to be bought 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 historically lengthy 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 United States Coast Guard signed a sole source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to acquire two new G700 luxury jets to facilitate travel for the secretary and the deputy secretary, at a cost to the taxpayer 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 inaccurate but refused to offer additional clarification.

The legislature had earlier approved the termed “big, beautiful bill” in July, which allocates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border-related operations, a sum that makes ICE the most heavily funded law enforcement agency in the federal government.

In September, it was revealed that the government was moving immigrants detained as part of its deportation agenda in ways that violated their legal rights, often by air.

Leaked data examined from charter airline Global Crossing outlined the travels of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been transported around the nation before removal.