The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has signed a $140 million contract to buy six Boeing 737 jets for deporting immigrants, reported The Washington Post. This changes how the US handles removals by letting ICE run its own planes instead of relying on rented flights. The purchase is funded by a big enforcement budget approved by Congress tied to President Donald Trump's immigration policies. Lawmakers authorized $170 billion over four years to expand detention and deportation operations. Officials say the new jets will let ICE increase flight schedules as the administration aims for one million deportations in Trump's first year. Currently, DHS holds nearly 66,000 people in detention and has carried out more than 579,000 removals so far. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said having a dedicated fleet will cut costs and improve flight efficiency but did not give details on the savings. The contract was awarded to Daedalus Aviation, a new company formed in 2024. William Allen Walters III is president, and Taundria Cappel is chief financial officer. Daedalus offers custom commercial and charter flight services. Walters and Cappel also run Salus Worldwide Solutions, which got a nearly $1 billion DHS contract linked to voluntary self-deportation. That contract faces a court challenge over its approval process. Walters declined to comment on the new plane deal. Former ICE acting director John Sandweg questioned buying planes outright, saying charter flights have been more flexible and cheaper. Previous administrations considered but rejected owning planes due to costs and logistics. ICE Air Operations currently runs most US immigration flights, including transfers and deportations abroad. From January to October, ICE flew more than 1,700 flights to 77 locations, per Human Rights First. With these Boeing 737s, DHS plans to expand deportation flights further, making the deportation system more permanent and widespread.