NBC News reported today that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem is urging Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to use its budget to purchase and operate its own fleet of aircraft specifically for deporting undocumented immigrants, citing two sources familiar with the matter.

ICE is central to President Donald Trump's plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. Former ICE chief of staff Jason Houser said that to achieve 30,000 to 35,000 deportations per month, the Trump administration would need to acquire approximately 30 dedicated aircraft.

ICE previously relied on chartered flights or military transport for deportations. Contracted airlines were responsible for maintenance and compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.

According to Houser, ICE chartered eight to 14 aircraft at a cost of 100,000 to 200,000 USD per flight, deporting around 15,000 immigrants monthly between 2022 and 2023 under President Joe Biden.

If Noem establishes ICE's first "deportation fleet," the agency would be responsible for providing pilots, medical and security personnel, as well as aircraft maintenance and ensuring compliance with aviation regulations.

Former ICE officials believe that having a dedicated fleet could double the number of monthly deportations.

Undocumented immigrants are escorted onto a military transport aircraft in Texas in January. Photo: US Department of Defense

Undocumented immigrants are escorted onto a military transport aircraft in Texas in January. Photo: US Department of Defense

According to the Air Line Pilots Association, the cost of a commercial aircraft ranges from 80 to 400 million USD. Purchasing around 30 aircraft could cost ICE between 2.4 and 12 billion USD, though it's unclear if the agency could negotiate a bulk discount.

Last month, Trump signed a bill allocating 165 billion USD to DHS, largely to strengthen southern border security and deport undocumented immigrants. ICE received over 75 billion USD of this, enough to establish an air fleet and staff it.

Houser suggests that DHS wants to increase deportation flights due to overcrowding in detention centers. He considered having ICE purchase and operate its own fleet under Biden, but lacked the funding.

Since returning to the White House, President Trump has directed federal agencies to intensify immigration enforcement and deport undocumented migrants.

The pressure to meet quotas has led ICE to conduct large-scale immigration raids in various locations, particularly in Democrat-led cities, sparking protests nationwide in recent months.

A CNN poll released on 20/7 found that 55% of Americans believe the Trump administration has "gone too far" in its efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, a 10 percentage point increase from February.

Duc Trung (NBC News, AP)