DHS Head Reportedly Authorized Purchase of 10 Engineless Spirit Airline Aircraft That Carrier Didn't Own
The secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security reportedly authorized the purchase of Spirit Airlines aircraft before discovering that the airline did not truly possess the aircraft – and that the aircraft lacked engines.
This bizarre incident was detailed in a report released on Friday, which recounted how the secretary and a ex- political strategist had recently attempted to purchase 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the pair intended to use the jets to expand deportation flights – and for private use.
Those insiders also claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had warned them that buying planes would be significantly costlier than simply expanding current charter agreements.
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Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second instance in the summer, did not own the jets and their engines would have had to be bought independently. The plan has since been paused, according to the investigation.
In the interim, Democratic lawmakers on the House funding panel said in October that during this season's record-long government shutdown, the DHS had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200 million.
“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a government shutdown, the US Coast Guard entered into a sole source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace to procure two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for the secretary and the deputy secretary, at a cost to the public of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a communication to the department.
A department representative informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the plane purchases were incorrect but declined to provide additional clarification.
The legislature had previously approved the so-called “major immigration bill” in July, which dedicates roughly $170bn 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 administration was transporting immigrants held as part of its removal program in ways that violated their constitutionally protected rights, often by air.
Confidential information reviewed from charter airline Global Crossing outlined the journeys of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been shuttled around the nation before deportation.
