Planned expansion of Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana dubbed 'Speedway Slammer' by US DHS

BUNKER HILL, Ind. - The United States Department of Homeland Security unveiled a new name for a planned expansion of Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana.




In a press release, Kristi Noem - U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security - dubbed the expansion the "Speedway Slammer." The name is likely a nod to Indiana's rich motorsports tradition, which is centered around pillars like the Indianapolis 500 and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.




Indiana Governor Mike Braun unveiled some details about the expansion last week. Braun indicated that the State is planning to expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention space at Miami Correctional by 1,000 beds.




In its release, the DHS indicated that the "Speedway Slammer" will "house some of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens arrested by ICE."




"Coming soon to Indiana: The Speedway Slammer," Noem said via release. "Today, we're announcing a new partnership with the State of Indiana to expand detention bed space by 1,000 beds. Thanks to Governor Braun for his partnership to help remove the worst of the worst out of our country. If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Indiana's Speedway Slammer. Avoid arrest and self-deport now using the CBP Home App."




The DHS indicated that the expansion of Miami Correctional is part of a 287(g) agreement the federal government struck with the state. Per ICE's website, 287(g) agreements authorize ICE "to delegate to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency's direction and oversight."




According to the DHS, funding for the expansion of Miami Correctional and similar facilities was embedded in the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which was signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4. The bill set aside funding for 80,000 new beds for ICE to use to house undocumented immigrants.




"We are proud to work with President Trump and Secretary Noem as they remove the worst of the worst with this innovative partnership," Braun wrote in a prepared statement. "Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combating illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among states."




The DHS also reported that the "Speedway Slammer" is the second detention partnership the federal government has struck with a state government. The first partnership was between the U.S. government and the State of Florida. That agreement involved a 5,000-bed facility that later became known as "Alligator Alcatraz."




In a post on X Tuesday night, the DHS released what appeared to be an image depicting an open-wheel race car with "ICE" emblazoned on its side and rear wing.




The number on the car in the image was five. On the IndyCar circuit, Mexican driver Pato O'Ward drives the No. 5 car. It is unclear if the number on the car in the image was connected to O'Ward coincidentally, accidentally or intentionally.




FOX59/CBS4 has reached out to IndyCar for a statement on the photo the DHS released Tuesday night but did not hear back.




Indiana has already supported federal efforts to house ICE detainees. Previous reporting indicates that Camp Atterbury - a military base located 37 miles south of Indianapolis - will be used to house ICE detainees.




When he announced that Miami Correctional was expanding, Braun also reported that several State agencies reached agreements regarding immigration enforcement with the U.S. government. In addition to IDOC, Indiana State Police, the Indiana National Guard and Indiana DHS struck deals with federal authorities.




In January, Braun signed an executive order that directed law enforcement agencies in Indiana to fully cooperate with ICE.




Some local agencies have enrolled in 287(g) programs with ICE, including the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, which created an immigration commission in January.




More information on ICE's 287(g) programs is available here.





via: https://fox59.com/news/planned-expansion-of-miami-correctional-facility-in-indiana-dubbed-speedway-slammer-by-us-dhs/