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The head of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the purchase of Spirit Airline jets before discovering that the carrier did not truly possess the aircraft – and that the aircraft lacked engines.

This strange incident was contained in a investigation published on the end of the week, which recounted how the official and a ex- political strategist had recently arranged to buy ten Boeing 737 planes from the airline. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the two intended to use the jets to increase deportation flights – and for private use.

Those insiders also stated that ICE officials had cautioned them that purchasing aircraft would be significantly costlier than simply expanding existing flight contracts.

ICE facing intense criticism after footage reportedly shows unresponsive individual clutching infant during detention.

Making the situation more complex, the airline, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second instance in August, did not own the jets and their engines would have had to be acquired separately. The proposal has since been paused, according to the investigation.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers on the House appropriations committee said in the autumn that during this fall's record-long government 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 federal shutdown, the US Coast Guard signed a single-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 taxpayer of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a letter to the DHS.

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

Congress had previously approved the termed “big, beautiful bill” in the summer, which allocates roughly $170 billion for immigration and border-related operations, a amount that makes ICE the most well-funded law enforcement agency in the federal government.

In the autumn, it was reported that the government was transporting individuals detained as part of its removal program in ways that breached their constitutionally protected rights, often by plane.

Confidential information examined from private airline Global Crossing outlined the travels of thousands of immigrants who have been shuttled around the country before deportation.