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The secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the purchase of Spirit Airlines aircraft before discovering that the carrier did not actually own the planes – and that the aircraft lacked engines.

This bizarre incident was detailed in a investigation published on Friday, which recounted how the official and a ex- political strategist had recently attempted to purchase ten Boeing 737 planes from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the two intended to use the jets to increase removal flights – and for personal travel.

Those sources also claimed that ICE officials had warned them that buying planes would be significantly costlier than simply expanding current charter agreements.

Immigration officials facing intense criticism after footage reportedly shows unresponsive individual holding infant during detention.

Making the situation more complex, the airline, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second instance in the summer, did not possess the aircraft and their power plants would have had to be acquired separately. The proposal has since been halted, according to the investigation.

Meanwhile, Democrats on the House appropriations committee said in the autumn that during this season's record-long 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 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 $200m,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to the DHS.

A DHS spokesperson told the Journal that some details in the report about the plane purchases were incorrect but declined to offer further details.

The legislature had previously authorized the so-called “major immigration bill” in July, which allocates roughly $170bn for immigration and border security operations, a sum that makes ICE the most heavily funded federal agency in the US government.

In the autumn, it was reported that the administration was moving immigrants held as part of its deportation agenda in ways that breached their constitutionally protected rights, often by air.

Leaked data reviewed from private airline Global Crossing outlined the travels of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been shuttled around the country before deportation.