Story perspectives

DHS Secures $140M for Controversial Deportation Plan

12/13/2025

Summary

Story summary

The Department of Homeland Security finalized a $140 million contract with Daedalus Aviation to buy six Boeing 737 planes for deportation, funded by the $170 billion for immigration policies.
Critics, including former DHS officials, argue the fleet is less cost-effective than charter flights.
There are concerns about how these planes could be used after U.S. President Donald Trump leaves office.
Recent data show many detained immigrants have no criminal records.

History

Historical Context

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 3, abolished national origin quotas, significantly increasing immigration from Asia and Latin America. By the 1970s, over 1 million immigrants arrived annually, reshaping the U.S. demographic landscape. The recent $140 million Boeing contract by the Department of Homeland Security highlights ongoing debates about immigration enforcement and its implications for future policies.

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Story summary

The Department of Homeland Security finalized a $140 million contract with Daedalus Aviation to buy six Boeing 737 planes for deportation, funded by the $170 billion for immigration policies.
Critics, including former DHS officials, argue the fleet is less cost-effective than charter flights.
There are concerns about how these planes could be used after U.S. President Donald Trump leaves office.
Recent data show many detained immigrants have no criminal records.

1 / 2