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The secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the purchase of Spirit Airlines jets before learning that the airline did not truly possess the aircraft – and that the aircraft lacked engines.

This strange incident was detailed in a investigation released on Friday, which recounted how the official and a former campaign manager had recently attempted to buy ten Boeing 737 planes from the airline. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the pair planned to use the planes to expand removal flights – and for private use.

Those sources also claimed that ICE agents had warned them that purchasing aircraft would be significantly costlier than simply increasing current charter agreements.

ICE facing intense criticism after footage apparently shows unresponsive individual holding child during detention.

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

In the interim, Democrats on the House appropriations committee said in the autumn that during this season's historically lengthy federal shutdown, the DHS had already acquired two Gulfstream aircraft for $200 million.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a government shutdown, the US Coast Guard signed a single-source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to procure two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for the secretary and the deputy, at a cost to the public of $200m,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to the DHS.

A department representative told the Journal that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were incorrect but refused to offer additional clarification.

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

In the autumn, it was revealed that the government was moving individuals held as part of its removal program in ways that violated their legal rights, often by plane.

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