The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of the United States has confirmed on Wednesday, December 10th, that it has agreed to purchase six Boeing 737 aircraft for use by its Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in carrying out large-scale deportation missions.
The DHS has signed a nearly $140 million procurement contract with Daedalus Aviation based in Virginia for the purchase of these aircraft. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed this procurement plan to the media.
McLaughlin stated that this new measure is part of the Trump administration’s commitment to “deporting criminal illegal aliens on a large scale.” She emphasized that this will improve efficiency and save taxpayer dollars.
“This new measure will enhance ICE’s operational efficiency, including the use of more efficient flight models, thereby saving taxpayers $279 million,” she added. “President Trump and Secretary (of Homeland Security) Nohm have promised to swiftly and effectively expel criminal illegal aliens from our country.”
Funding for this new aircraft fleet will come from a $170 billion budget approved by Congress, specifically earmarked for Trump’s border and immigration policies, which also include new detention centers and border wall construction. Prior to this, most deportation flights were carried out by charter companies.
The procurement of this fleet by the DHS signals further autonomy and scaling in the government’s immigration deportation operations.
It has been reported that the Trump administration has set a goal to deport one million immigrants this year. Since taking office in January until the end of October, the Trump administration has executed 1,701 deportation flights, a 79% increase compared to the same period last year.
In November of last year, The Wall Street Journal reported that officials had instructed ICE to procure ten Boeing 737s from Spirit Airlines, but due to engine shortages and cost issues, the plan was ultimately shelved.
(This article was referenced from Bloomberg and The Guardian reports)