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The head of the United States Department of Homeland Security reportedly authorized the acquisition of Spirit Airline jets before discovering that the carrier did not actually own the planes – and that the planes lacked engines.

This bizarre incident was detailed in a report released on the end of the week, which described how the official and a ex- political strategist had recently arranged to buy ten Boeing 737 planes from the airline. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the pair planned to use the planes to increase removal flights – and for private use.

Those insiders also claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had cautioned them that purchasing aircraft would be far more expensive than simply increasing existing flight contracts.

Immigration officials facing fierce backlash after video apparently shows unconscious man holding infant during arrest.

Complicating matters further, Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second instance in August, did not possess the aircraft and their engines would have had to be acquired separately. The proposal has since been halted, according to the report.

Meanwhile, Democrats on the House funding panel said in the autumn that during this fall's record-long government shutdown, the DHS had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a government shutdown, the United States Coast Guard signed a sole source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury aircraft to facilitate travel for you and the deputy secretary, at a expense to the taxpayer of $200m,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a communication to the department.

A department representative informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were incorrect but refused to offer further details.

Congress had previously approved the termed “major immigration bill” in the summer, which dedicates roughly $170bn for immigration and border security operations, a amount that makes ICE the most well-funded law enforcement agency in the US government.

In the autumn, 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.

Leaked data examined from private airline GlobalX outlined the journeys of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been shuttled around the country before deportation.