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The head of the United States Department of Homeland Security reportedly authorized the purchase of Spirit Airline jets before discovering that the carrier did not truly possess the planes – and that the planes were missing engines.

This bizarre anecdote was contained in a report released on Friday, which described how the official and a ex- campaign manager had recently attempted to purchase 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from the airline. People familiar with the situation informed the outlet that the two planned to use the planes to expand deportation flights – and for private use.

Those sources also claimed that ICE officials had cautioned them that buying planes would be far more expensive than simply increasing existing flight contracts.

ICE confronting fierce backlash after footage reportedly shows unresponsive individual clutching child during arrest.

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

In the interim, Democrats on the House appropriations committee said in October that during this fall's historically lengthy government shutdown, the DHS had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a government shutdown, the United States Coast Guard entered into a sole source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to acquire two new G700 luxury jets to facilitate travel for you and the deputy secretary, at a cost to the public of $200 million,” Democratic representatives wrote in a letter to the department.

A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the plane purchases were inaccurate but refused to provide further details.

The legislature had earlier authorized the termed “big, beautiful bill” in the summer, which allocates roughly $170bn for immigration and border security operations, a sum that makes ICE the most heavily funded law enforcement agency in the federal government.

In the autumn, it was reported that the administration was moving individuals detained as part of its removal program in ways that violated their constitutionally protected rights, often by plane.

Confidential information examined from private airline Global Crossing outlined the travels of thousands of individuals who have been transported around the country before removal.