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The secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security reportedly approved the acquisition 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 released on the end of the week, which recounted how the official and a ex- campaign manager had recently arranged to buy 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from the airline. People familiar with the situation told the paper that the two intended to use the planes 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 significantly costlier than simply increasing current charter agreements.

Immigration officials facing fierce backlash after footage reportedly shows unresponsive individual holding infant during arrest.

Complicating matters further, the airline, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second instance in the summer, did not possess the aircraft and their engines would have had to be bought independently. The plan has since been paused, according to the investigation.

In the interim, Democratic lawmakers on the House funding panel said in the autumn that during this season's historically lengthy government 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 federal shutdown, the US Coast Guard signed a single-source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury aircraft to support travel for the secretary and the deputy, at a cost to the taxpayer of $200m,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter to the DHS.

A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were inaccurate but refused to offer additional clarification.

The legislature had earlier approved the termed “major immigration bill” in the summer, which dedicates roughly $170bn for immigration and border-related operations, a sum that makes ICE the most well-funded law enforcement agency in the federal government.

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

Confidential information reviewed from private airline GlobalX detailed the journeys of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been shuttled around the country before deportation.