Protestors march outside Miami Correctional Facility, speak out against ICE's 'Speedway Slammer' pla

MIAMI COUNTY, Ind. - Tuesday, dozens of protesters gathered outside Miami Correctional Facility to speak out against the Indiana Department of Correction's plans to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.




"This is inhumane, and we don't want it in our state," protester Nikki Books said.




"My husband, he served during Vietnam," Wabash County Democratic Party Chair Tammy Ingalls said. "This is not why he served."




Earlier this month, Indiana Governor Mike Braun's office announced IDOC would work with ICE to make up to 1,000 beds available at the facility. Shortly following that announcement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released multiple posts on X calling the facility the "Speedway Slammer." IndyCar has asked federal immigration authorities not to use its branding moving forward.




Several protestors said they're concerned the facility already houses too many inmates as is.

"I don't see how we're going to add 1,000 people to the chaos and not have more chaos," Laura Bretzman, Chair of the Democratic Women of Miami County Indiana, said.




"The message I would have for Governor Braun is simply, 'You didn't ask us whether or not we wanted this in our state,'" lead protest organizer Stephanie Graf-Gilliland said.




But Braun said he's confident the facility will be able to handle the influx.




"I don't think they would have offered it if they couldn't handle it, and it will be, the federal government is paying for it," Braun said.




According to the Deportation Data Project, nearly 1 in every four migrants detained by ICE in Indiana this June had no criminal record. Last week, Braun reiterated his intent to go after the "worst first."




"When you say you're going after the 'worst first,' or the people that came in and then broke the law again, stick with that game plan," Braun said.




But several protestors said they're skeptical of that plan, and that they're nervous that migrants detained here may not receive due process.




"I would encourage (Braun), as a sworn officer, the head of the State of Indiana, to take care of Hoosiers. All Hoosiers," Rose Wenrich, a Miami County resident, said.




In a statement, the IDOC wrote:




"IDOC is working closely with Governor Braun to partner with federal authorities to enforce immigration laws. Details about the partnership and how IDOC can best support those efforts are being determined."





via: https://fox59.com/news/politics/protestors-march-outside-miami-correctional-facility-speak-out-against-ices-speedway-slammer-plans/