MAY 16, 2026
DHS Under Mullin Scales Back Noem-Era Detention and Deportation Fleet Plans, Citing Cost and Efficiency Concerns
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who replaced Kristi Noem in March, has undertaken a review of contracts and programs established during Noem's tenure and is moving away from several of her signature immigration detention and deportation initiatives. DHS paused warehouse purchases intended for conversion into immigrant detention facilities and is reevaluating state-run detention sites opened under Noem. Separately, DHS told CNN it plans to begin using a fleet of planes purchased under Noem for deportation flights "in the coming weeks," with contractors operating the aircraft.
Secretary Mullin has directed ICE to pause all purchases of warehouses that Noem had planned to convert into immigrant detention facilities. Under Mullin, ICE has been given authorization to move forward with no more than seven warehouse facilities, down from the 10 additional sites planned under Noem, according to the Washington Examiner. The DHS Office of Inspector General has launched an investigation into Noem and former special government employee Corey Lewandowski's plans to spend $38 billion converting warehouses into jails, the Examiner reported, citing a Wall Street Journal report. A separate Atlantic report described the government spending $145 million purchasing a Utah warehouse valued at $97 million.
Mullin is also reevaluating the alliteratively named state-run detention sites that Noem launched, including "Alligator Alcatraz" and "Deportation Depot" in Florida, "Speedway Slammer" in Indiana, "Cornhusker Clink" in Nebraska, and "Louisiana Lockup" in Louisiana. "I would say that the approach is more sensible and not flashy. No gimmicks," a senior administration official told the Washington Examiner. A second official said of the state sites: "Some are good. Some just make no sense and are a waste of money."
On the deportation aircraft front, CNN reported that DHS purchased 10 planes — eight Boeing 737s and two Gulfstream jets — between January and March, all from Daedalus Aviation, spending approximately $464.5 million in transportation and removal funds by March. The fleet has largely sat idle at a maintenance facility in Louisiana since purchase, with none used for deportation flights. DHS said the planes have been undergoing maintenance, safety checks, and modifications and that contractors will operate them, at least initially.