Kristi Noem Pushes ICE to Purchase and Operate Deportation Plane Fleet

As of August 21, 2025, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is pressing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to buy and run its own fleet of deportation planes, according to people familiar with internal planning. The push, a centerpiece of the Trump administration’s stepped-up removal campaign, would move ICE away from chartered flights and toward a government-operated air network designed to meet an annual deportation target of up to 1 million people.

The effort rides on a sweeping funding boost. Congress approved a Republican-backed spending bill in July that expands ICE’s annual budget from roughly $9.5 billion to $75 billion. A portion of that money would cover a dedicated fleet with an estimated price tag of up to $12 billion, depending on aircraft mix and configuration. Unit costs under review range from $80 million to $400 million per plane, according to planning summaries described by officials.

Today, ICE leans on contracts with commercial carriers, including Avelo Airlines and GlobalX, to move people out of the United States 🇺🇸. Those deals have come under strain: airlines have faced protests and cyberattacks, and some executives are rethinking government work amid growing public pressure. Officials say the current pool of about 14 contracted aircraft cannot support the White House removal goals. To hit monthly targets, removals would have to jump from about 15,000 per month to 35,000, a level ICE says is not reachable with the present charter setup.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, control over scheduling and capacity is the core selling point behind the proposed ICE fleet, which backers say would cut delays tied to contractor limits or cancellations.

Scale, Budget, and Logistics

Noem’s team argues an ICE-owned fleet would add predictability, reduce reliance on hesitant partners, and allow DHS to plan larger, more frequent routes to countries that accept returnees.

Supporters inside the department say that while the upfront outlay is steep, operating the aircraft over several years could lower per-removal costs compared with premium charter pricing and last-minute route changes.

If approved, the shift would require a major buildout inside ICE, including:

• Procurement of large commercial jets suitable for long-haul removals
• Full compliance with Federal Aviation Administration rules for government-run flight operations
• Hiring and training pilots, flight crews, and maintenance teams at scale
• New secure facilities for pre-flight processing, medical screening, and boarding
• Coordination centers to manage manifests, escorts, and foreign government clearances

Officials have not finalized the acquisition mix. Some drafts consider a blend of narrow-body aircraft for regional flights and wide-body jets for distant routes to South Asia and South America. Aviation advisers caution that buying planes is the easy part; creating a safe, compliant operation that runs daily across multiple time zones demands heavy spending on spare parts, training pipelines, insurance equivalents, and airfield agreements.

The fleet plan sits within a broader enforcement surge launched after President Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025. The White House set out to remove large numbers of undocumented residents—described by officials as more than 10 million people—through a mix of home arrests, workplace operations, traffic stops, and university checks.

DHS reports that in the first 200 days of Noem’s tenure, the number of people in the country without status fell by about 1.6 million, a figure it attributes to both voluntary exits and stepped-up removals.

Policy shifts have tightened legal pathways as well. The administration has ended several humanitarian parole programs and overhauled Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Officials also phased out the CBP One app and introduced a new CBP Home App that offers voluntary departure incentives, including a $1,000 payment and a free ticket for people who choose to leave on their own. DHS provides enforcement and removal information on its website at https://www.dhs.gov.

ICE’s current deportation flights serve destinations across the Western Hemisphere and beyond, including Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, India, and Brazil. The department says it is pursuing new or expanded agreements with partner governments to accept more frequent flights and larger manifests.

The push for deportation planes is seen inside DHS as a way to lock in regular service to countries that can absorb higher volumes, with fewer last-minute scrambles when charter capacity falls through.

Acquisition, Operations, and Cost Details

Key planning figures and considerations:

Aviation advisers note significant recurring costs beyond purchase:

• Spare parts inventories and logistics pipelines
• Long-term maintenance and certified repair programs
• Insurance equivalents and fuel expenses
• Training and certification pipelines for pilots and mechanics
• Airport slot negotiations and ground service agreements

Reactions, Risks, and Timeline

The plan has split observers. Supporters inside the administration argue an ICE-owned fleet would:

• Add control over routes and schedules, reducing cancellations tied to outside carriers
• Build capacity to meet the 35,000-per-month target
• Limit public pressure on private airlines, which have faced protests and cyberattacks

Critics counter that the upfront costs are immense and the logistics complex.

Civil liberties groups warn that speeding up removals raises risks to due process and increases the chance of wrongful deportations, especially amid reports of aggressive and, at times, extrajudicial detentions during operations. Watchdogs argue that more planes could amplify harm if oversight doesn’t keep pace with the planned growth in arrests and transfers.

They also point to the price: even a modest fleet at the low end of projected unit costs would still run into the billions, with ongoing maintenance and fuel bills continuing year after year.

Airlines that have worked with ICE are feeling the squeeze. Avelo and GlobalX have both been targeted by activists over their role in removal flights. VisaVerge.com reports that protests at airports and online campaigns have made some carriers rethink or scale back such contracts, adding to the case for an ICE-controlled fleet in the eyes of DHS planners.

Aviation experts add a sober note: running a large fleet is more than scheduling aircraft and crews. To meet federal safety standards, ICE would need:

• Robust training paths for pilots and mechanics
• Certified repair programs and reliable access to parts
• Negotiated airport slots and services at airports that may face community pressure

These demands could stretch timelines, even with the new money.

Officials say the proposal is in an advanced stage inside DHS, with budget authority lined up but procurement steps still being drafted. If the plan gets a green light this fall, ICE could begin acquiring and retrofitting aircraft by late 2025 or early 2026.

Full operating capacity would take years, given hiring, training, and infrastructure needs. In the meantime, ICE will keep relying on its roughly 14 contracted planes while trying to increase the number of monthly removals.

International cooperation remains a swing factor. Receiving countries must agree to accept flights, verify identities, and issue travel documents. DHS says it’s expanding discussions with partner governments to speed those steps and to shape predictable flight schedules that match each country’s intake limits.

Even with more aircraft, any bottleneck on the receiving end—paperwork, airport capacity, or court orders—can ground removals.

Human and Community Impacts

Inside the United States, the human impact is already visible:

• Community groups report rising fear among mixed-status families
• Schools and workplaces are adjusting to more enforcement activity

The administration argues the approach will deter future unlawful entries and restore control. Opponents say it will sweep up long-settled residents and strain local services as households are split.

With billions now committed and a vast logistical lift ahead, the fight over deportation planes is set to shape immigration enforcement for years, even as legal, political, and diplomatic tests continue to mount.