Noem Pushes ICE To Buy Fleet Of Deportation Planes, Aims To Double Removals

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is pushing ICE to use a massive 2025 funding boost to purchase and operate its own deportation aircraft, moving away from charters. Sources and former officials say an owned fleet of roughly 30 planes could raise removals from ~15,000 to 30,000–35,000 per month, but would require billions in capital plus staffing, maintenance, and FAA compliance. The plan intersects with a broader surge in deportation flights and growing transparency concerns around masked tail numbers. The proposal is significant but not yet a finalized procurement.