🔗 Share this article

The secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly approved the acquisition of Spirit Airline jets before discovering that the airline did not truly possess the aircraft – and that the planes were missing power plants.

This bizarre incident was contained in a investigation released on Friday, which recounted how the official and a ex- political strategist had recently attempted to purchase 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the pair planned to use the planes to increase deportation flights – and for personal travel.

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

Immigration officials confronting intense criticism after video reportedly shows unresponsive individual clutching child during detention.

Complicating matters further, the airline, which filed for bankruptcy proceedings for the second instance in the summer, did not own the aircraft and their power plants would have had to be bought separately. The proposal has since been paused, according to the report.

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 jets for $200 million.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a government shutdown, the US Coast Guard signed a sole source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to procure two new G700 luxury aircraft to support travel for the secretary and the deputy, at a expense to the taxpayer of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a communication to the department.

A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that some details in the report about the plane purchases were incorrect but refused to offer additional clarification.

Congress had earlier authorized the termed “major immigration bill” in July, which allocates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border-related operations, a amount that makes ICE the most heavily funded federal agency in the federal government.

In September, it was reported that the government was transporting individuals detained as part of its deportation agenda in ways that violated their constitutionally protected rights, often by plane.

Leaked data examined from charter airline Global Crossing detailed the travels of tens of thousands of individuals who have been transported around the country before deportation.