The Trump administration is accelerating its immigration crackdown with a major aviation purchase. The US Department of Homeland Security has signed a contract worth nearly $140 million to buy at least six Boeing 737 aircraft for dedicated deportation flights. The plan will allow US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to run its own fleet instead of relying on charter services. DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said the shift will cut costs and improve operational efficiency. She estimated savings of about $279 million but did not share details.
Congress approved $170 billion for border and immigration enforcement earlier this year. The funding came through the Republican Party’s large tax bill. It opened the door for Trump to scale up removals and expand detention operations. The administration aims to deport at least one million people in its first year. Border officials say they have already completed more than 579,000 removals. DHS data shows nearly 66,000 migrants in detention.
The Pentagon also moved at least $2 billion from military projects to support the crackdown. Lawmakers say the diversion paused or cancelled key defence upgrades.
Observers are questioning how DHS will use its new aircraft after Trump leaves office. ICE has already flown 1,701 deportation flights to 77 countries this year.-
