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The secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security reportedly approved the purchase of Spirit Airline jets before discovering that the carrier did not truly possess the planes – and that the aircraft lacked power plants.

This strange incident was detailed in a report published on Friday, which described how the official and a ex- political strategist had recently arranged to purchase 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from the airline. Sources with knowledge told the paper that the two intended to use the planes to increase deportation flights – and for personal travel.

Those sources also stated that ICE agents had warned them that purchasing aircraft would be far more expensive than simply expanding current charter agreements.

Immigration officials confronting intense criticism after video reportedly shows unconscious man holding child during detention.

Making the situation more complex, the airline, which entered bankruptcy protection for the second instance in the summer, did not possess the jets and their power plants would have had to be acquired separately. The proposal 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 government 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 sole source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to procure two new G700 luxury aircraft to support travel for the secretary and the deputy, at a cost to the public of $200m,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a communication to the DHS.

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

Congress had earlier approved the termed “big, beautiful bill” in July, which dedicates roughly $170 billion for immigration and border security operations, a sum that makes ICE the most heavily funded law enforcement agency in the US government.

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

Confidential information examined from charter airline GlobalX detailed the travels of tens of thousands of individuals who have been transported around the nation before removal.