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The secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the purchase of Spirit Airlines aircraft before learning that the airline did not actually own the aircraft – and that the planes were missing engines.

This strange incident was detailed in a investigation released on the end of the week, which described how the secretary and a former campaign manager had recently arranged to purchase 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the two intended to use the planes to expand deportation flights – and for private use.

Those sources also claimed that ICE officials had warned them that buying planes would be significantly costlier than simply expanding current charter agreements.

ICE confronting intense criticism after footage reportedly shows unconscious man clutching infant during detention.

Making the situation more complex, the airline, which filed for bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in August, did not own the jets and their power plants would have had to be acquired independently. The proposal has since been halted, according to the report.

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

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a federal shutdown, the United States Coast Guard signed a sole source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to procure two new G700 luxury jets to support travel for you and the deputy secretary, at a expense to the public of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a letter to the department.

A department representative informed the outlet that some details in the report about the plane purchases were incorrect but refused to provide further details.

The legislature had earlier approved the so-called “major immigration bill” in the summer, which dedicates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border-related operations, a sum that makes ICE the most well-funded law enforcement agency in the federal government.

In September, it was reported that the government was transporting individuals detained as part of its deportation agenda in ways that breached their constitutionally protected rights, often by air.

Confidential information reviewed from private airline GlobalX outlined the travels of tens of thousands of individuals who have been transported around the nation before deportation.