DHS Head Reportedly Authorized Acquisition of Ten Engine-Free Spirit Airline Planes Which Carrier Did Not Possess

The secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airlines aircraft before discovering that the airline did not actually own the aircraft – and that the planes were missing power plants.

This bizarre anecdote was detailed in a investigation published on Friday, which recounted how the official and a former campaign manager had recently attempted to buy ten Boeing 737 planes from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge told the paper that the pair intended to use the jets to increase deportation flights – and for private use.

Those insiders also claimed that ICE agents had cautioned them that buying planes would be far more expensive than simply increasing current charter agreements.

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

Complicating matters further, the airline, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in August, did not own the jets and their engines would have had to be bought separately. The plan has since been paused, according to the investigation.

In the interim, Democratic lawmakers on the House appropriations committee said in October that during this fall's historically lengthy federal shutdown, the DHS had already purchased two Gulfstream aircraft for $200 million.

“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a government shutdown, the US Coast Guard entered into 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 expense to the public of $200 million,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a communication to the department.

A department representative informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were inaccurate but declined to offer further details.

The legislature had previously authorized the so-called “major immigration bill” in the summer, which allocates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border security operations, a sum that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most heavily funded federal agency in the US government.

In September, it was reported that the government was transporting individuals held as part of its removal program in ways that breached their legal rights, often by air.

Confidential information reviewed from charter airline Global Crossing outlined the travels of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been shuttled around the nation before removal.