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The head of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly approved the acquisition of Spirit Airline jets before discovering that the airline did not actually own the planes – and that the aircraft were missing engines.

This strange incident was contained in a investigation published on the end of the week, which recounted how the secretary 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 pair intended to use the jets to expand removal flights – and for personal travel.

Those insiders also stated that ICE agents had warned them that buying planes would be significantly costlier than simply increasing current charter agreements.

Immigration officials confronting intense criticism after video reportedly shows unresponsive individual clutching infant during arrest.

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

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers on the House appropriations committee said in the autumn that during this fall's historically lengthy federal shutdown, the DHS had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200 million.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a federal shutdown, the US Coast Guard signed a sole source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to acquire two new G700 luxury jets to facilitate travel for the secretary and the deputy, at a expense to the taxpayer of $200m,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a communication to the DHS.

A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that some details in the report about the plane purchases were inaccurate but refused to provide additional clarification.

Congress had previously authorized the termed “major immigration bill” in July, which dedicates roughly $170 billion for immigration and border security operations, a sum that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most well-funded federal agency in the federal government.

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

Confidential information examined from charter airline Global Crossing detailed the journeys of thousands of individuals who have been transported around the nation before removal.