Overview
- ICE has asked the Office of Management and Budget to approve buying a leased Boeing 737 Max 8 for $70 million to support deportation missions and cabinet-level travel, according to DHS officials.
- Images and marketing materials show a queen-bed bedroom, showers, a kitchen, multiple large TVs and a bar, with seating for up to 18 despite typical deportation flights carrying 50–100 detainees plus staff.
- DHS says the aircraft would operate about 40% cheaper than military planes used for deportations, and at least one bedroom is being converted to additional seating for removal flights.
- Some DHS and ICE officials questioned the plane’s suitability for deportations, and one official said political appointees reversed earlier resistance and now expect OMB to approve the purchase.
- Secretary Kristi Noem has already used the jet for travel, including a trip to Tel Aviv, while ICE has separately bought five non-luxury 737s with plans to acquire a total of eight deportation aircraft.