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The secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly approved the purchase of Spirit Airlines jets before discovering that the carrier did not actually own the planes – and that the aircraft lacked power plants.

This strange anecdote was contained in a investigation released on Friday, which described how the official 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 pair planned to use the planes to increase 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 expanding current charter agreements.

Immigration officials confronting fierce backlash after video reportedly shows unresponsive individual clutching child during arrest.

Complicating matters further, Spirit, which entered bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in August, did not own the jets and their power plants would have had to be bought separately. The plan 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 federal shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200m.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a federal shutdown, the United States Coast Guard signed a sole source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to acquire two new G700 luxury jets to support travel for you and the deputy secretary, at a expense to the taxpayer of $200 million,” Democratic representatives wrote in a communication to the department.

A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were incorrect but declined to provide further details.

The legislature had previously authorized the so-called “major immigration bill” in July, which allocates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border-related operations, a sum that makes ICE the most heavily funded federal agency in the US government.

In September, it was reported that the government was moving individuals held as part of its deportation agenda in ways that violated their legal rights, often by air.

Leaked data examined from charter airline Global Crossing outlined the journeys of thousands of immigrants who have been transported around the country before removal.