Politics

Key Points

  • The Department of Homeland Security confirmed it will buy six Boeing 737s for deportations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
  • DHS has a contract with Daedalus Aviation for the nearly $140 million purchase, The Washington Post reported.
  • “This new initiative will save $279 million in taxpayer dollars by allowing ICE to operate more effectively, including by using more efficient flight patterns,” DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during a press conference at a federal office building in Bradenton, Florida, October 20, 2025.

Octavio Jones | Getty Images

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“We are delighted to see the media is highlighting the Trump administration’s cost-effective and innovative ways of delivering on the American people’s mandate for mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens,” DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to CNBC when asked about the Post’s article.

“This new initiative will save $279 million in taxpayer dollars by allowing ICE to operate more effectively, including by using more efficient flight patterns,” McLaughlin said.

“President Trump and [DHS Secretary Kristi] Noem are committed to quickly and efficiently getting criminal illegal aliens OUT of our country,” she said.

A Boeing 737 approaches San Diego International for a landing, May 10, 2025.

Kevin Carter | Getty Images

CNBC has requested comment from Daedalus Aviation.

Currently, most deportation flights overseen by ICE Air Operations, a division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, are carried out by charter-flight companies.