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The secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airline jets before learning that the carrier did not actually own the aircraft – and that the aircraft were missing engines.

This bizarre anecdote was contained in a report published on Friday, which recounted how the secretary and a ex- political strategist had recently attempted to purchase ten Boeing 737 planes from Spirit Airlines. People familiar with the situation informed the outlet that the two planned to use the jets to increase removal flights – and for private use.

Those insiders also claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had warned them that purchasing aircraft would be far more expensive than simply increasing existing flight contracts.

Immigration officials facing intense criticism after video apparently shows unconscious man holding child during arrest.

Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy proceedings for the second instance in August, did not possess the aircraft and their power plants would have had to be bought separately. The plan has since been halted, according to the report.

Meanwhile, Democrats on the House appropriations committee said in the autumn that during this fall's record-long government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already acquired two Gulfstream aircraft for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a federal shutdown, the United States 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, at a expense to the public of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a letter to the department.

A DHS spokesperson told the Journal that parts of its reporting about the plane purchases were incorrect but refused to offer additional clarification.

The legislature had earlier approved the termed “big, beautiful bill” in July, which allocates roughly $170bn for immigration and border-related operations, a sum that makes ICE the most well-funded federal agency in the US government.

In September, it was revealed that the government was moving immigrants held as part of its removal program in ways that violated their constitutionally protected rights, often by air.

Leaked data reviewed from charter airline Global Crossing detailed the journeys of tens of thousands of individuals who have been shuttled around the country before removal.