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The secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airline jets before discovering that the airline did not actually own the planes – and that the planes lacked engines.

This strange incident was detailed in a investigation released on the end of the week, which recounted how the official and a ex- campaign manager had recently attempted to buy 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from the airline. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the two intended to use the jets to increase removal flights – and for private use.

Those sources also claimed that ICE officials had cautioned them that buying planes would be far more expensive than simply increasing current charter agreements.

ICE confronting fierce backlash after footage reportedly shows unconscious man clutching infant during detention.

Complicating matters further, the airline, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in the summer, did not possess the jets and their power plants would have had to be bought independently. The proposal has since been paused, according to the investigation.

In the interim, Democratic lawmakers on the House appropriations committee said in the autumn that during this season's record-long federal shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200m.

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

A department representative informed the outlet that some details in the report about the plane purchases were inaccurate but refused to offer additional clarification.

Congress had previously approved the so-called “major immigration bill” in the summer, which allocates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border-related operations, a amount that makes ICE the most heavily funded federal agency in the federal government.

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

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