ICE Considers Setting Up Its Own Airline

Agency is looking to ramp up deportations.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at 07:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act puts aside $75 billion for ICE, which the agency could use to set up its own airline. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are reportedly considering establishing a new airline solely for deporting immigrants.
This initiative, spearheaded by Secretary Kristi Noem, aims to leverage a significant increase in federal funding to buy and operate ICE's own aircraft, thereby increasing deportation capacity.
Currently, ICE relies on contracted outside companies for deportation flights; transitioning to an in-house airline would involve new, substantial expenses for aircraft purchase, maintenance, operations, and staffing.

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Officials with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are reportedly considering setting up a new airline for the sole purpose of deporting immigrants from the country.

According to NBC News, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wants ICE to use an influx of federal dollars to buy and operate its own aircraft for deportation flights. Sources who spoke to the news outlet said the move would allow ICE to deport many more people per month but would also bring on new expenses, like the cost of maintaining and repairing airplanes.