Homeland Security Dept. buying Boeing 737s for ICE deportations

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Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during a press conference at a federal office building in Bradenton, Florida, October 20, 2025.

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"We are delighted to see the media is highlighting the Trump administration's cost-effective and innovative ways of delivering on the American people's mandate for mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens," DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to CNBC when asked about the Post's article.

"This new initiative will save $279 million in taxpayer dollars by allowing ICE to operate more effectively, including by using more efficient flight patterns," McLaughlin said.

"President Trump and [DHS Secretary Kristi] Noem are committed to quickly and efficiently getting criminal illegal aliens OUT of our country," she said.

A Boeing 737 approaches San Diego International for a landing, May 10, 2025.

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CNBC has requested comment from Daedalus Aviation.

Currently, most deportation flights overseen by ICE Air Operations, a division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, are carried out by charter-flight companies.