The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized an agreement to purchase six Boeing 737 aircraft to enhance the operational capabilities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding deportations. According to DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin, the acquisition is expected to improve efficiency by allowing ICE to implement better flight patterns, ultimately saving U.S. taxpayers an estimated $279 million.
The contract, valued at nearly $140 million, was reported by the Washington Post and involves the purchase from Daedalus Aviation. McLaughlin emphasized the commitment of the administration, stating, “President Trump and @Sec_Noem are committed to quickly and efficiently getting criminal illegal aliens OUT of our country.”
Funding for these aircraft comes from the “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” a legislative package that allocates $350 billion for border and national security, including deportation initiatives.
Operational Impact and Recent Deportations
Deportation flights for individuals living in the United States illegally commenced on January 24, 2023, with the first operation involving the removal of 80 Guatemalan migrants from Briggs Army Air Field in El Paso, Texas. Between January 20 and October 31, 2023, the administration executed 1,701 removal flights to 77 countries, according to data from the ICE Flight Monitor provided by Human Rights First.
The report highlights that the majority of U.S. immigration enforcement flights are managed by ICE Air Operations (IAO), which currently does not own its aircraft but instead contracts operations through the airline broker CSI Aviation. This company, in turn, works with several airline carriers, including GlobalX, Eastern Air Express, and Avelo Airlines, among others.
During the previous administration, at least 9,730 ICE Air charter flights were conducted, which included removal-related and domestic transfer flights. The current administration’s push for a dedicated fleet aligns with statements made earlier by Homeland Security Secretary Krisi Noem, who expressed interest in providing ICE with its own planes for deportation missions.
Statistics and Future Projections
In a recent announcement, DHS reported that over 2.5 million migrants living in the United States illegally have departed the country within the past year. Enforcement operations have led to more than 605,000 deportations, alongside approximately 1.9 million self-deportations.
As the DHS moves forward with this significant purchase, the focus remains on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of immigration enforcement operations across the nation. The introduction of these aircraft is seen as a pivotal step in the broader strategy to manage immigration and maintain national security.
For further information or news tips, contact Alexx Altman-Devilbiss at [email protected].
