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The secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly approved the acquisition of Spirit Airline jets before discovering that the carrier did not actually own the planes – and that the aircraft lacked power plants.

This strange incident was detailed in a report released on the end of the week, which described how the secretary and a ex- campaign manager had recently attempted to buy ten Boeing 737 planes from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the two planned to use the jets to increase removal flights – and for private use.

Those sources also claimed that ICE agents had cautioned them that purchasing aircraft would be significantly costlier than simply expanding existing flight contracts.

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

Complicating matters further, Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second instance in August, did not own the jets and their power plants would have had to be acquired separately. The proposal has since been paused, according to the report.

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

“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a government shutdown, the US Coast Guard signed a single-source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury jets to support travel for the secretary and the deputy secretary, at a expense to the public of $200 million,” Democratic representatives wrote in a letter to the DHS.

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

The legislature had previously authorized the termed “major immigration bill” in the summer, which allocates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border-related operations, a sum that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most well-funded law enforcement agency in the US government.

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

Leaked data reviewed from charter airline Global Crossing detailed the travels of tens of thousands of individuals who have been shuttled around the country before deportation.