DHS Head Reportedly Authorized Purchase of 10 Engineless Spirit Airline Planes Which Airline Didn't Own
The head of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airline aircraft before discovering that the carrier did not actually own the planes – and that the aircraft lacked engines.
This strange incident was contained in a investigation published on Friday, which recounted how the official and a ex- political strategist had recently attempted to buy 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. People familiar with the situation informed the outlet that the two planned to use the jets to expand removal flights – and for personal travel.
Those insiders also stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had cautioned them that buying planes would be far more expensive than simply expanding current charter agreements.
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Complicating matters further, Spirit, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in August, did not possess the aircraft and their engines would have had to be acquired separately. The plan has since been paused, according to the report.
In the interim, Democrats on the House funding panel said in the autumn that during this season's historically lengthy federal shutdown, the DHS had already acquired two Gulfstream aircraft for $200 million.
“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a federal shutdown, the US Coast Guard entered into a sole source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace to procure two new G700 luxury jets to facilitate travel for you and the deputy secretary, at a expense to the public of $200m,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a communication to the DHS.
A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the plane purchases were incorrect but refused to provide additional clarification.
Congress had earlier authorized the termed “major immigration bill” in July, which allocates roughly $170bn for immigration-related and border-related operations, a sum that makes ICE the most heavily funded federal agency in the federal government.
In September, it was reported that the government was transporting individuals held as part of its deportation agenda in ways that violated their legal rights, often by air.
Confidential information reviewed from private airline GlobalX outlined the travels of thousands of individuals who have been transported around the country before removal.
