DHS Head Reportedly Approved Acquisition of Ten Engine-Free Spirit Airline Aircraft Which Airline Didn't Own
The head of the US Department of Homeland Security reportedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airlines aircraft before learning that the carrier did not truly possess the aircraft – and that the planes lacked power plants.
This bizarre anecdote was contained in a investigation published on Friday, which described how the official and a former political strategist had recently attempted to buy ten Boeing 737 planes from the airline. Sources with knowledge told the paper that the two intended to use the planes to expand removal flights – and for private use.
Those insiders also claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had warned them that purchasing aircraft would be far more expensive than simply increasing current charter agreements.
Immigration officials confronting intense criticism after footage reportedly shows unresponsive individual holding child during detention.
Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in the summer, did not own the jets and their power plants would have had to be bought independently. The proposal has since been paused, according to the report.
In the interim, Democratic lawmakers on the House funding panel said in the autumn that during this season's historically lengthy government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already acquired two Gulfstream jets for $200m.
“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a federal shutdown, the United States Coast Guard signed a single-source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury jets to support travel for the secretary and the deputy secretary, at a expense to the public of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a letter to the DHS.
A department representative informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the plane purchases were inaccurate but refused to offer further details.
Congress had previously authorized the termed “big, beautiful bill” in July, which allocates roughly $170bn 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 reported that the administration was moving individuals held as part of its removal program in ways that breached their constitutionally protected rights, often by air.
Confidential information examined from charter airline Global Crossing detailed the travels of thousands of individuals who have been shuttled around the country before removal.
