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The secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly approved the acquisition of Spirit Airlines jets before learning that the airline did not truly possess the planes – and that the planes lacked engines.

This bizarre incident was contained in a investigation released on Friday, which described how the secretary and a ex- political strategist had recently arranged to purchase ten Boeing 737 planes from Spirit Airlines. People familiar with the situation informed the outlet that the pair planned to use the planes to increase deportation flights – and for personal travel.

Those insiders also stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had warned them that buying planes would be far more expensive than simply increasing existing flight contracts.

ICE confronting intense criticism after video reportedly shows unresponsive individual holding child during detention.

Making the situation more complex, the airline, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second instance in the summer, did not possess the aircraft and their engines would have had to be acquired independently. The plan has since been halted, according to the investigation.

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

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a federal shutdown, the US Coast Guard signed a single-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 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 aircraft acquisitions were incorrect but declined to offer further details.

Congress had previously authorized the termed “major immigration bill” in the summer, which dedicates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border security operations, a sum that makes ICE the most well-funded law enforcement agency in the US government.

In the autumn, it was reported that the government was moving immigrants held as part of its deportation agenda in ways that breached their constitutionally protected rights, often by plane.

Leaked data examined from charter airline Global Crossing outlined the journeys of thousands of individuals who have been shuttled around the nation before deportation.