The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated a significant move to bolster its deportation efforts by purchasing six Boeing 737 aircraft. This acquisition, valued at nearly $140 million and sourced from Daedalus Aviation, aims to improve the operational efficiency of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in carrying out deportations. According to DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin, the addition of these planes will enable ICE to utilize more effective flight patterns, ultimately saving U.S. taxpayers an estimated $279 million.
The contract for the Boeing 737s was initially reported by The Washington Post. McLaughlin emphasized the commitment of both President Trump and Secretary Krisi Noem to expedite the removal of individuals living in the country illegally, stating on X, “President Trump and @Sec_Noem are committed to quickly and efficiently getting criminal illegal aliens OUT of our country.”
Funding for this acquisition is part of the comprehensive “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” which allocates $350 billion towards border and national security initiatives, including deportation efforts. The first deportation flights utilizing these new aircraft began on January 24, 2023, with the initial return of 80 Guatemalan migrants from Briggs Army Air Field in El Paso, Texas.
Between the start of the Biden administration on January 20, 2023, and October 31, 2023, ICE has conducted 1,701 removal flights to 77 countries, according to data from the ICE Flight Monitor published by Human Rights First. The vast majority of these flights are managed by ICE Air Operations (IAO), which does not own its aircraft but instead contracts through an airline broker, CSI Aviation. This broker then subcontracts operations to various airlines, including GlobalX, Eastern Air Express, and Avelo Airlines.
The Trump administration previously operated at least 9,730 ICE Air charter flights, which encompassed removal and related domestic transfer flights. Secretary Noem has previously expressed a desire for ICE to have its own fleet to facilitate these operations more effectively.
Recent reports indicate that over 2.5 million migrants living in the United States illegally have departed the country within the last year. Enforcement actions have resulted in more than 605,000 deportations and 1.9 million self-deportations, showcasing a significant shift in immigration enforcement priorities under this administration.
The acquisition of these Boeing 737s marks a pivotal step in the DHS’s strategy to streamline deportation processes and enhance the operational capabilities of ICE. As the administration continues to navigate immigration challenges, the effectiveness of these new resources will be closely monitored in the months to come.
