(NewsNation) — U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wants Immigration and Customs Enforcement to use increased funding to buy, own and operate its own fleet of airplanes to deport immigrants.
Department of Homeland Security sources confirm to NewsNation that Noem is pushing to use billions in new funding to buy planes outright — a move which would end years of hiring charter companies to deport immigrants.
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ICE currently rents between eight and 14 planes at a time — enough to deport about 15,000 people per month. The goal, according to ICE officials, is to double that figure to 30-35,000 removals per month. ICE estimates it would need about 30 plans to replace its current charter system.
In total, the fleet could cost upwards of $12 billion. President Donald Trump and the Republican Party’s recent tax bill, however, earmarked a massive $75 billion for ICE under the so-called “big, beautiful bill.”
The agency would be responsible for plane maintenance in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations.
The Trump administration has said it intends to deport roughly 1 million immigrants a year. According to data over Trump’s six months in office, ICE has deported upwards of 150,000 people, which includes self-deportations.
