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The secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security reportedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airline aircraft before discovering that the airline did not truly possess the planes – and that the aircraft lacked power plants.

This strange incident was contained in a report released on the end of the week, which recounted how the official and a former political strategist had recently arranged to purchase 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the pair intended to use the jets to increase removal flights – and for private use.

Those insiders also stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had warned them that buying planes would be far more expensive than simply increasing current charter agreements.

ICE facing intense criticism after footage reportedly shows unconscious man clutching infant during arrest.

Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in August, did not own the jets and their engines would have had to be bought independently. The plan has since been halted, according to the investigation.

In the interim, Democrats on the House appropriations committee said in October that during this season's record-long government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security 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 entered into a single-source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to procure two new G700 luxury aircraft to support travel for you and the deputy secretary, at a cost to the taxpayer of $200 million,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to the department.

A DHS spokesperson told the Journal that parts of its reporting about the plane purchases were inaccurate but refused to offer further details.

The legislature had earlier approved the so-called “major immigration bill” in the summer, which dedicates roughly $170bn for immigration-related and border-related operations, a sum 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 breached their constitutionally protected rights, often by plane.

Leaked data reviewed from charter airline GlobalX detailed the travels of thousands of individuals who have been transported around the country before removal.