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The head of the US Department of Homeland Security reportedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airlines aircraft before learning that the carrier did not truly possess the planes – and that the aircraft lacked power plants.

This strange incident was contained in a report released on Friday, which described how the secretary and a ex- campaign manager had recently arranged to buy 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from the airline. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the two planned to use the planes to expand deportation flights – and for private use.

Those sources also claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had cautioned them that purchasing aircraft would be far more expensive than simply increasing current charter agreements.

Immigration officials facing intense criticism after video apparently shows unresponsive individual clutching infant during detention.

Making the situation more complex, the airline, which entered bankruptcy protection for the second time in August, did not own the jets and their engines would have had to be acquired separately. The plan has since been halted, according to the investigation.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers on the House funding panel said in October that during this fall's record-long government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already purchased two Gulfstream aircraft for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a federal shutdown, the US Coast Guard signed a single-source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to procure two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for you and the deputy, at a expense to the taxpayer of $200 million,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a communication to the department.

A DHS spokesperson told the Journal that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were inaccurate but declined to offer further details.

The legislature had earlier approved the so-called “major immigration bill” in the summer, which dedicates roughly $170 billion for immigration and border security operations, a sum that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most heavily funded federal agency in the federal government.

In September, it was reported that the administration was transporting individuals detained as part of its deportation agenda in ways that breached their constitutionally protected rights, often by plane.

Leaked data reviewed from private airline Global Crossing outlined the journeys of tens of thousands of individuals who have been transported around the nation before removal.