WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Homeland Security has signed a contract to acquire Boeing 737 aircraft to support large-scale deportation operations, marking a major shift from the government’s long-standing reliance on charter flights. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the agreement Wednesday, saying the planes will allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to operate “more effectively,” including by optimizing flight routes for removal missions.
The administration plans to use funds authorized under the GOP-backed tax and budget legislation that President Donald Trump signed in July, which allocated $170 billion to DHS. The Washington Post previously reported that six planes were being purchased, though DHS has not publicly confirmed the number. McLaughlin said the initiative is projected to save taxpayers $279 million, but did not provide additional details when contacted for comment.
The agreement is with Daedalus Aviation Corporation, a Virginia-based company established in 2024 that provides charter aviation, repatriation services, and government-directed evacuations. Corporate records list William Allen Walters III as president and Taundria Cappel as treasurer and CFO.
The expansion comes amid a sharp increase in deportation flights: as of October 31, the administration had conducted 1,701 removal flights since Trump returned to office, according to Human Rights First.
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