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The head of the United States Department of Homeland Security reportedly approved the acquisition of Spirit Airline aircraft before learning that the carrier did not actually own the aircraft – and that the planes were missing engines.

This strange incident was contained in a investigation published on Friday, which recounted how the secretary and a ex- campaign manager had recently attempted to buy ten Boeing 737 planes from the airline. People familiar with the situation told the paper that the two planned to use the planes to increase removal flights – and for personal travel.

Those insiders also stated that ICE agents had cautioned them that purchasing aircraft would be significantly costlier than simply increasing current charter agreements.

ICE facing intense criticism after footage apparently shows unconscious man holding child during detention.

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

Meanwhile, Democrats on the House funding panel said in October that during this fall's historically lengthy government shutdown, the DHS had already acquired two Gulfstream jets for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a federal shutdown, the United States Coast Guard entered into a sole source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace to procure two new G700 luxury jets to support travel for the secretary and the deputy secretary, at a expense to the taxpayer 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 declined to offer further details.

The legislature had previously authorized the so-called “big, beautiful bill” in the summer, which allocates roughly $170bn for immigration and border security operations, a amount that makes ICE the most well-funded law enforcement agency in the federal government.

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

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