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The secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security reportedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airline jets before learning that the airline did not truly possess the aircraft – and that the aircraft lacked engines.

This strange anecdote was detailed in a report published on Friday, which described how the official and a ex- political strategist had recently attempted to purchase ten Boeing 737 planes from the airline. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the two planned to use the planes to expand deportation flights – and for private use.

Those sources also claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had cautioned them that buying planes would be significantly costlier than simply increasing existing flight contracts.

Immigration officials confronting intense criticism after footage apparently shows unresponsive individual holding infant during detention.

Complicating matters further, Spirit, which entered 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 halted, according to the investigation.

In the interim, Democrats on the House appropriations committee said in October that during this fall's record-long government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200 million.

“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a government shutdown, the United States Coast Guard entered into a sole source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury aircraft to support travel for you and the deputy secretary, at a expense to the public of $200 million,” Democratic representatives wrote in a communication to the department.

A department representative told the Journal that parts of its reporting about the plane purchases were incorrect but refused to offer further details.

The legislature had earlier authorized the termed “big, beautiful bill” in the summer, which dedicates 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 federal government.

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

Confidential information reviewed from charter airline Global Crossing detailed the journeys of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been shuttled around the country before deportation.