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

This strange incident was contained in a report released on the end of the week, which described how the official and a former political strategist had recently attempted to buy ten Boeing 737 planes from the airline. People familiar with the situation informed the outlet that the two intended to use the planes to increase removal flights – and for private use.

Those insiders also stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had cautioned them that purchasing aircraft would be significantly costlier than simply increasing existing flight contracts.

Immigration officials confronting intense criticism after video reportedly shows unconscious man clutching infant during arrest.

Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in the summer, did not own the aircraft and their engines would have had to be acquired separately. The proposal has since been paused, according to the report.

In the interim, Democrats on the House appropriations committee said in the autumn that during this season's historically lengthy federal shutdown, the DHS had already acquired two Gulfstream jets 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 agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to procure two new G700 luxury aircraft to support travel for you and the deputy secretary, at a expense to the taxpayer of $200m,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to the DHS.

A department representative informed the outlet that some details in the report about the plane purchases were incorrect but refused to provide further details.

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

In the autumn, it was reported that the administration was moving immigrants detained as part of its removal program in ways that violated their legal rights, often by air.

Confidential information reviewed from private airline Global Crossing detailed the travels of thousands of individuals who have been transported around the nation before deportation.