DHS Head Reportedly Approved Purchase of Ten Engine-Free Spirit Airline Planes Which Airline Didn't Own
The head of the United States Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the purchase of Spirit Airline aircraft before learning that the carrier did not actually own the aircraft – and that the planes lacked power plants.
This strange anecdote was contained in a investigation released on Friday, which recounted how the official and a former political strategist had recently arranged to buy 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from the airline. Sources with knowledge told the paper that the pair intended to use the jets to increase removal flights – and for personal travel.
Those sources also stated that ICE officials had cautioned them that buying planes would be significantly costlier than simply increasing existing flight contracts.
ICE confronting fierce backlash after footage reportedly shows unconscious man holding infant during detention.
Making the situation more complex, the airline, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second instance in the summer, did not possess the aircraft and their engines would have had to be acquired separately. The plan has since been halted, according to the investigation.
In the interim, Democratic lawmakers 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 $200 million.
“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a federal shutdown, the US Coast Guard entered into a sole source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace to procure two new G700 luxury aircraft to support travel for the secretary and the deputy secretary, at a expense to the taxpayer of $200 million,” Democratic representatives wrote in a letter to the department.
A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that some details in the report about the plane purchases were inaccurate but declined to provide further details.
The legislature had earlier approved the termed “major immigration bill” in July, which allocates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border-related operations, a amount that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most heavily funded law enforcement agency in the US government.
In September, it was reported that the administration was transporting individuals detained as part of its removal program in ways that violated their constitutionally protected rights, often by air.
Leaked data examined from private airline Global Crossing detailed the journeys of thousands of individuals who have been shuttled around the nation before deportation.
