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The head of the United States Department of Homeland Security allegedly authorized the purchase of Spirit Airlines aircraft before learning that the carrier did not actually own the aircraft – and that the aircraft lacked power plants.

This bizarre anecdote was contained in a investigation released on Friday, which described how the official and a ex- campaign manager had recently attempted to buy ten Boeing 737 planes from the airline. People familiar with the situation informed the outlet that the pair intended to use the planes to increase removal flights – and for private use.

Those insiders also stated that ICE officials had cautioned them that buying planes would be significantly costlier than simply expanding current charter agreements.

Immigration officials confronting fierce backlash after video reportedly shows unresponsive individual holding infant during arrest.

Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second instance in the summer, did not own the aircraft and their power plants would have had to be bought independently. The plan has since been paused, according to the investigation.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers on the House funding panel said in the autumn that during this fall's record-long federal 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 signed a single-source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace to procure two new G700 luxury jets to support travel for you and the deputy secretary, at a cost to the public of $200m,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to the department.

A DHS spokesperson told the Journal that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were inaccurate but refused to provide additional clarification.

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

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

Confidential information examined from charter airline GlobalX outlined the travels of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been transported around the nation before removal.