DHS Trying to Buy $70 Million Luxury Jet for Deportations, Kristi Noem's Travel

DHS Is Trying to Buy a $70 Million Luxury Jet, Says It’s for Deportations and Kristi Noem’s Travel The jet features showers, a kitchen, a bar and a bedroom with a queen bed, as well as four large flat-screen TVs By Escher Walcott Escher Walcott Escher Walcott is a Writer/Reporter at PEOPLE, covering stories in Entertainment, Style, Human Interest. She joins having written for several popular news publications, including Glamour, Refinery29, NYLON and Evening Standard, discussing the latest fashion trends, pop culture news, and pressing social matters. People Editorial Guidelines Published on February 21, 2026 10:26AM EST 168 Comments Kristi Noem. Credit : Olivier Touron / AFP via Getty NEED TO KNOW The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is looking into officially buying a luxury jet that is currently being leased and used for deportations and travel for Cabinet officials, according to a new report from NBC News.The jet features showers, a kitchen, a bar and a bedroom with a queen bed, as well as four large flat-screen TVs"This plane flies at 40% cheaper than what the military aircraft flies for ICE deportation flights — saving the American taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars," a DHS spokesperson said The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is looking into officially buying a luxury jet that is currently being leased and used for deportations and travel for U.S. Cabinet officials, according to a new report. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is reportedly asking the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval to purchase the Boeing 737 Max 8 for $70 million, according to NBC News, which cited two DHS officials involved in the ask. ICE told the OMB that the aircraft would be used for deportations and travel for Cabinet officials, including that of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the two officials told the outlet. The jet features showers, a kitchen, a bar and a bedroom with a queen bed, as well as four large flat-screen TVs, photos of the aircraft obtained by NBC News show. It can hold up to 18 passengers and has space for a maximum of 14 people to sleep, according to the outlet. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrives at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Illinois in 2025. DHS photo by Tia Dufour In a statement to PEOPLE, a DHS spokesperson said, "This plane flies at 40% cheaper than what the military aircraft flies for ICE deportation flights — saving the American taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars." "Having the plane serve a dual mission of facilitating cabinet-level travel when not in use for deportations is a cost-saving measure for taxpayers," they continued, adding that the "cost-saving investment is only part of Secretary Noem’s broader efforts to clamp down on inefficiencies and save taxpayer dollars." The DHS spokesperson further explained, “At least one of the bedrooms is currently being converted for seating to prepare the aircraft to meet the demands of its deportation mission set.” Deportation flights typically transport 50 to 100 detainees, along with medical staff and security officers, NBC News reported. In some cases, the detainees are shackled to metal bars on the floor, the outlet added. The OMB did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday, Feb. 21. Seats onboard a Gulfstream G700 business jet. SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Some DHS officials shared their doubts about whether the plane will be used for President Donald Trump’s mass deportation policy, however, according to NBC News. One of the two officials who spoke with the outlet called the mission to buy the plane “far-fetched." Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Related Stories Government to Spend Nearly $200 Million on 'Spacious' Private Jets for Kristi Noem and Other Officials: Reports Coast Guard Pilot Was Fired After Kristi Noem's Blanket Got Left Behind on Plane: Report Back in October, the DHS purchased two Gulfstream private jets for $172 million, which were to be used by Noem, DHS officials and the U.S. Coast Guard, according to a report from The New York Times. USCG Adm. Kevin Lunday said in a statement that the investment is a “vital need to modernize its command and control capabilities to meet today’s rapidly evolving operational demands." He added, "Maintaining reliable air mobility is essential to ensuring continuity of operations and mission success.” Close Leave a Comment Read more: Politics