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The secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security allegedly approved the acquisition of Spirit Airline aircraft before learning that the airline did not actually own the aircraft – and that the aircraft lacked engines.

This bizarre incident was detailed in a report released on the end of the week, which recounted how the official and a former political strategist had recently arranged to buy 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. People familiar with the situation informed the outlet that the two planned to use the jets to increase removal flights – and for personal travel.

Those sources 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.

ICE facing intense criticism after video apparently shows unresponsive individual holding infant during detention.

Complicating matters further, Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second instance in the summer, did not possess the aircraft and their engines would have had to be acquired separately. The proposal has since been halted, according to the report.

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

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a government shutdown, the United States Coast Guard entered into a sole source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury jets to support travel for you and the deputy, at a expense to the public of $200 million,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to the department.

A department representative informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were incorrect but refused to provide further details.

The legislature had previously approved the termed “big, beautiful bill” in the summer, which dedicates roughly $170bn for immigration and border-related operations, a sum that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most well-funded law enforcement agency in the federal government.

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

Confidential information examined from private airline GlobalX detailed the journeys of tens of thousands of individuals who have been shuttled around the country before deportation.