Trump administration needs more planes to carry out deportations: report

They need more planes.

The Trump administration began its promised deportations of illegal immigrants this week, but senior Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said Friday that more aircraft are needed to speed up the process. 

Miller told reporters that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had been hampered in its ability to deport illegal migrants because of a lack of aircraft and the administration is trying to secure enough planes from half a dozen sources, per Bloomberg.

ICE raids took place as early as Tuesday and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt released photos of people boarding C-17s on Friday morning, announcing that “deportation flights had begun,”. One of the photos was taken at Biggs Army Airfield at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, U.S. and it was one of two flights that had departed for Guatemala on Thursday at 5 p.m. local time.

Deportation flight out of U.S.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt released this image Friday, writing on X that “deportation flights have begun.” A Mississippi lawmaker is proposing paying bounty hunters to help deport illegal immigrants.  (White House)

“In one week, the Trump Administration has already facilitated a record number of illegal migrant deportation flights, and the Administration is using both military and non-military aircrafts to accomplish this mission,” Leavitt said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“Joe Biden allowed tens of millions of illegal criminals into the country, and in order to detain and deport as many as possible, Congress must past a reconciliation bill that includes funding for border enforcement, detention centers, and deportation efforts.”

The administration has taken a number of actions to secure the border, including deploying the military, restarting wall construction and ending Biden-era parole programs. 

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a slew of memos since President Donald Trump’s inauguration, ordering reviews of parole and expanding the ability of officials to quickly deport illegal immigrants from the U.S. who have recently arrived. Those memos have been signed by Acting Secretary Benjamine Huffman. 

ICE vest and Donald Trump

ICE raids began under President Donald Trump this week. (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Miller also said that the administration would use various tools to remove those granted humanitarian parole to enter the country when they otherwise wouldn’t have permission. 

“There’s digital footprints, there’s financial footprints, there’s routine law enforcement intelligence,” he said. “There’s a wide array of tools we have to identify and remove those individuals.”

According to Bloomberg, former President Joe Biden declined to use military aircraft. His administration often used commercial aircraft to deport migrants. 

Fox News’ Adam Shaw and Louis Casiano contributed to this report. 

You May Also Like
SNL eviscerates Donald Trump, comparing his impact to that of Osama Bin Laden

SNL Criticizes Donald Trump, Drawing Parallel to Osama Bin Laden

Saturday Night Live took a strong stance against President Donald Trump, drawing…
Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes’ prosecutor says fraudster’s case offers warning to Silicon Valley leaders

Prosecutor of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes warns Silicon Valley leaders of fraud case implications

The prosecutor who secured Elizabeth Holmes’ guilty verdict described her transition from…
What Time Is ‘Tracker’ On Tonight? How To Watch ‘Tracker’ Season 2, Episode 12 Live On CBS And Online

When does ‘Tracker’ air tonight? Ways to watch ‘Tracker’ Season 2, Episode 12 live on CBS and online

Tracker is back again and Sunday nights on CBS feel whole again.…
In horrific detail, the minute-by-minute account of America's first firing squad execution in 15 years: The bullseye target disintegrated in a volley of bullets. A stain of blood slowly spread out from the dead man's chest...

Minute-by-Minute Description of America’s First Firing Squad Execution in 15 Years: The Target Crumbled as Bullets Rained Down, Spreading Blood from the Man’s Chest.

A white piece of paper painted with a red bulls-eye was pinned…
Iran's supreme leader rejects nuclear talks with US after Trump's overtures

Iran’s Supreme Leader Refuses Nuclear Talks with US Following Trump’s Advances

Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Saturday he will not negotiate…
Secret Service shoots man in overnight 'armed confrontation' near White House

Man shot by Secret Service in armed confrontation near White House during the night

The Secret Service shot a man during an armed confrontation near the…
‘Golden State Killer’ prosecutor enlists special K-9 to sniff out cybercrimes in new digital strategy

“Special K-9 Joins ‘Golden State Killer’ Prosecutor to Combat Cybercrimes with Innovative Digital Strategy”

A special electronic detection K-9 is helping a central California district attorney’s…
Armed man shot by Secret Service near White House while President Trump out of town

Gunman shot by Secret Service outside White House during President Trump’s absence

WASHINGTON — A man who was carrying a firearm close to the…
Georgina Rodriguez puts on a busty display in a leather corset as she joins Leighton Meester and Olivia Palermo at Elie Saab Paris Fashion Week show

Georgina Rodriguez stuns in a leather corset alongside Leighton Meester and Olivia Palermo at Elie Saab Paris Fashion Week event

Georgina Rodriguez appeared stunning in a revealing leather corset as she sat…
Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick's Another Simple Favor director responds to rumors of tension between co-stars

Director of Another Simple Favor addresses rumors about tension between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick

Director Paul Feig tried to shut down any claims of tension between…
Horror as twisted illegal migrants commit horrendous crime in Sanctuary City that ignored series of warning signs

“Shocking Crime Committed by Illegal Migrants in Sanctuary City Despite Warning Signs”

Two illegal migrants have been named as suspects in the brutal murder…
Suzanne Simpson murder case: Texas defense for missing Realtor's husband looking for holes in evidence trove

Investigation Continues into Suzanne Simpson’s Murder as Texas Lawyers Examine Evidence Amid Shock in Wealthy Community

A Texas real estate agent named Suzanne Simpson disappeared more than five…