GOVERNMENT SPENDING
DHS spent $464 million on deportation planes that remain largely unused
The Department of Homeland Security spent about $464 million on used aircraft for deportation flights through a no-bid deal, but many planes have sat parked or been used for other trips, prompting Senate Democrats and watchdogs to demand records and investigations.
The Department of Homeland Security spent about $464 million on used aircraft for deportation flights through a no-bid deal, but many planes have sat parked or been used for other trips, prompting Senate Democrats and watchdogs to demand records and investigations.
Corroboration
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Confirmed by 8+ sources.
What This is
- DHS bought 10 used airplanes for about $464 million to support deportation flights.
- The purchase was made through a no-bid contract, using an emergency-style justification to skip normal competition.
- Most of the aircraft have remained parked or largely unused, raising questions about why DHS bought them.
- Reporting says DHS has struggled to operate the jets because it lacks staff, and ICE may not need its own dedicated fleet.
- DHS has also sought approval to buy a roughly $70 million Boeing 737-8 MAX, saying it would be used for both ICE deportation flights and senior-official travel.
- Senate Democrats have asked for oversight steps, including an inspector-general probe, contract documents, legal justifications, and flight logs.
Why This Matters
- It raises basic questions about whether taxpayers got anything close to what they paid for.
- It tests how easily agencies can use emergency-style contracting to avoid competition and still face real oversight.
- If planes were funded without clear approval from Congress, it adds a fight over who controls major spending decisions.
- Using deportation aircraft for unrelated official travel can blur the line between mission needs and convenience spending.
- Claims of donor-linked contracting can weaken public trust even if the deal was legal.