Kathrine Frich
It’s also shuttled detainees between U.S. immigration centers.
It’s also shuttled detainees between U.S. immigration centers.
Vance’s Campaign Plane Now Deports Migrants
It once flew the Vice President to rallies and high-dollar donor dinners. Now it’s ferrying undocumented migrants back to Central America.
The Boeing 737 known as “Trump Force Two,” used in JD Vance’s 2024 campaign, has taken on a stark new mission under the Trump administration.
16 Deportation Flights Logged This Year Alone
According to public aviation logs, the plane, tail number N917XA, has made at least 16 deportation flights since mid-April 2025.
Destinations include Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The data was verified by immigration watchdog group Witness at the Border.
Secret Charters, Same Plane: From Donor Rides to ICE Missions
The very aircraft once offered to big donors as a campaign perk is now part of ICE’s covert charter fleet, often referred to as “ICE Air.”
The plane is subcontracted through private firms and used in deportation missions that have expanded significantly in Trump’s second term.
No Comment from Vance
It’s unclear whether Vice President Vance is even aware that his former campaign jet is being used for removals.
His office declined to comment when contacted by reporters on Thursday.
The Department of Homeland Security also remained tight-lipped, citing security concerns.
This Isn’t Its First ICE Rodeo
This isn’t the first time this aircraft has been involved in deportation operations.
During Trump’s first term in 2018, it was used in at least three flights to Central America, carrying over 360 migrants.
A Symbol of Trump-Vance Immigration Policy?
The plane’s repurposing is symbolic of the administration’s hardline immigration approach, which includes expanded deportations, faster removals, and stricter legal immigration guidelines.
Trump and Vance campaigned on delivering “the largest deportation operation in American history.”
Emergency Landing Adds Drama
The jet isn’t without its dramatic moments. Last August, it was forced to make an emergency landing in Milwaukee due to a door malfunction.
No injuries were reported, and the flight resumed after a short delay.
Who Owns the Plane? It’s Complicated
The 22-year-old aircraft is registered to Eastern 737 Asset Holdings L.L.C. in Kansas City, Missouri.
Neither the company nor ICE has disclosed further details about the lease or its terms.