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

This bizarre anecdote was detailed in a report released on Friday, which described how the official and a ex- campaign manager had recently attempted to buy 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. People familiar with the situation informed the outlet that the pair planned to use the planes to increase removal flights – and for personal travel.

Those sources also claimed that ICE agents had warned them that buying planes would be far more expensive than simply expanding existing flight contracts.

ICE facing intense criticism after footage reportedly shows unconscious man clutching child during detention.

Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in August, did not possess the jets and their engines would have had to be acquired separately. The proposal has since been halted, according to the report.

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

“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a federal shutdown, the US Coast Guard entered into a single-source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace to procure two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for you and the deputy secretary, at a expense to the public of $200 million,” Democratic representatives wrote in a communication to the DHS.

A department representative informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were inaccurate but declined to provide additional clarification.

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

In the autumn, it was revealed that the administration was moving individuals detained as part of its deportation agenda in ways that violated their legal rights, often by plane.

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