DHS Head Allegedly Authorized Purchase of Ten Engine-Free Spirit Airline Planes That Airline Didn't Own
The secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly approved the purchase of Spirit Airline aircraft before discovering that the airline did not truly possess the planes – and that the aircraft were missing engines.
This bizarre anecdote was detailed in a report released on Friday, which described how the official and a ex- political strategist had recently attempted to purchase ten Boeing 737 planes from the airline. Sources with knowledge told the paper that the two planned to use the planes to expand removal flights – and for private use.
Those sources also stated that ICE agents had warned them that purchasing aircraft would be significantly costlier than simply increasing current charter agreements.
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Complicating matters further, the airline, which entered bankruptcy protection for the second instance in August, did not possess the jets and their engines would have had to be bought separately. The plan has since been paused, according to the report.
Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers on the House appropriations committee said in the autumn 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 government shutdown, the US Coast Guard signed a sole source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to procure two new G700 luxury aircraft to support travel for you and the deputy, at a expense to the public of $200 million,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a communication to the DHS.
A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were inaccurate but declined to provide further details.
The legislature had previously authorized the termed “major immigration 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 September, it was reported that the government was moving immigrants detained as part of its deportation agenda in ways that violated their constitutionally protected rights, often by plane.
Confidential information examined from charter airline Global Crossing outlined the journeys of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been shuttled around the nation before removal.
