DHS Head Reportedly Approved Acquisition of 10 Engineless Spirit Airline Planes Which Airline Did Not Possess

The head of the US Department of Homeland Security reportedly authorized the purchase of Spirit Airline jets before learning that the carrier did not actually own the planes – and that the aircraft lacked engines.

This strange anecdote was detailed in a report published on Friday, which described how the official and a former campaign manager had recently arranged to buy 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the two intended to use the jets to expand deportation flights – and for private use.

Those insiders also stated that ICE officials had warned them that purchasing aircraft would be far more expensive than simply increasing existing flight contracts.

Immigration officials facing fierce backlash after video apparently shows unresponsive individual clutching child during detention.

Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in the summer, did not own the jets and their engines would have had to be bought separately. The plan has since been halted, according to the investigation.

In the interim, Democratic lawmakers on the House appropriations committee said in the autumn that during this fall's record-long federal shutdown, the DHS had already acquired two Gulfstream jets for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a government shutdown, the US Coast Guard entered into a sole source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for you and the deputy, at a expense to the taxpayer of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a letter to the department.

A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that some details in the report about the plane purchases were incorrect but declined to provide further details.

The legislature had previously approved the termed “major immigration bill” in July, which allocates roughly $170 billion for immigration and border security operations, a amount that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most heavily funded federal agency in the federal government.

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

Confidential information examined from charter airline Global Crossing detailed the journeys of tens of thousands of individuals who have been transported around the country before deportation.