The US Department of Homeland Security will buy six Boeing 737s for use in Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation flights, marking a significant shift in how the government conducts large-scale removals of people living in the US without legal authorization.
DHS confirmed the acquisition after The Washington Post reported that the aircraft will cost nearly $140 million under a contract with Daedalus Aviation, a Virginia-based company that has drawn attention for its ties to another major DHS contractor.
Today, most ICE Air Operations missions rely on charter flights. The agency contracts aircraft, crews, and maintenance from private operators, a model that offers flexibility but comes with high and often unpredictable costs.
Bringing aircraft directly under DHS control gives the department greater scheduling authority and reduces dependence on the charter market, which has grown more expensive in recent years.
DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said the change will save an estimated $279 million by allowing ICE to run more efficient flights and better match aircraft availability with demand.
The move comes as the Trump administration pushes toward a stated goal of deporting one million immigrants in 2025, a scale not seen in modern US immigration enforcement. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has described the new aircraft as part of a broader effort to increase operational “tempo,” reduce bottlenecks in the removal pipeline, and cut costs over time. The administration has argued that charter arrangements hinder efficiency, especially as flight schedules grow more complex.
Public records do not identify which 737 variants DHS is buying, but the purchase price strongly suggests they are used 737-700 or 737-800 aircraft rather than new jets. Daedalus is expected to source and refurbish the airplanes before delivery. The aircraft will likely require modifications for secure transport, including partitioned seating, surveillance equipment, and specialized restraints, though DHS has not released configuration details.
The contract has drawn scrutiny because Daedalus’ CEO and Chief Financial Officer also hold the same positions at Salus Worldwide Solutions, a firm with a separate DHS contract worth nearly $1 billion to support voluntary “self-deportation” programs. Some US lawmakers are already signaling interest in reviewing the procurement process and the relationship between the two companies.
The department has not said where the new aircraft will be based, but ICE Air currently operates out of hubs in Arizona, Texas, and Louisiana. It also remains unclear whether DHS will employ its own flight crews or rely on contract pilots, as it has in past operations.
