DHS Inks Contract to Create Fleet of Boeing Planes for Deportations

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Wednesday that it reached an agreement to purchase Boeing 737 planes for deportation proceedings.

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said on the social platform X that the planes will allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to “operate more effectively, including by using more efficient flight patterns.”

McLaughlin added that President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem are “committed to quickly and efficiently” removing migrants who are illegally in the country.

The Washington Post reported earlier Wednesday that the DHS was purchasing six Boeing aircrafts. ICE has previously relied on charter planes when carrying out deportations. 

The department is paying for the planes using $170 billion in funding allocated to it by the GOP tax and budget legislation Trump signed into law in July, the outlet reported. 

McLaughlin said on X that the initiative will save taxpayers $279 million. When reached for comment, she did not provide further details on the agreement.

The agreement is with Daedalus Aviation Corporation, which was established in Virginia in February 2024, according to corporate records. As of Friday, William Allen Walters III is listed as its president and Taundria Cappel is listed as its treasurer and chief financial officer.

Daedalus offers a “full range of commercial and charter aviation services,” such as government-directed evacuations and sensitive international repatriations, according to its website.

The Hill has reached out to the company for comment.

As of Oct. 31, the administration has conducted 1,701 removal flights since the president returned to office, according to Human Rights First’s ICE Flight Monitor report.