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The secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security reportedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airlines aircraft before learning that the carrier did not truly possess the planes – and that the aircraft lacked power plants.

This bizarre incident was detailed in a report published on the end of the week, which recounted how the official and a ex- campaign manager had recently arranged to buy ten Boeing 737 planes from the airline. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the pair planned to use the jets to expand 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 expanding current charter agreements.

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Making the situation more complex, 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 plan has since been halted, according to the report.

Meanwhile, Democrats on the House appropriations committee said in the autumn that during this season's record-long government shutdown, the DHS had already acquired two Gulfstream jets for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a government shutdown, the United States Coast Guard signed a single-source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for the secretary and the deputy secretary, at a cost to the taxpayer of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a communication to the department.

A department representative told the Journal that some details in the report about the aircraft acquisitions were incorrect but refused to offer additional clarification.

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

In September, it was reported that the government was transporting individuals detained as part of its removal program in ways that violated their legal rights, often by plane.

Leaked data examined from private airline Global Crossing outlined the journeys of thousands of immigrants who have been transported around the nation before deportation.