The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under the leadership of Secretary Kristi Noem, is reportedly planning a new immigration detention facility in Indiana, dubbed the "Speedway Slammer," modeled after the controversial "Alligator Alcatraz" in Florida. This new facility, slated for the Miami Correctional Facility near Bunker Hill, Indiana, will house what officials are calling the "worst of the worst" criminal non-citizens.

The "Speedway Slammer" aims to expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention capacity by 1,000 beds. Secretary Noem stated that this partnership with Indiana Governor Mike Braun will help remove dangerous individuals from the country. She suggested that those in America illegally could find themselves in the "Speedway Slammer," encouraging "self-deportation" via the CBP Home App. Governor Braun echoed this sentiment, expressing pride in collaborating with the Trump administration to combat illegal immigration.

This move follows the opening of "Alligator Alcatraz," a 3,000-bed immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades. This facility, built rapidly at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, is surrounded by swampland and alligators. DHS is considering similar facilities near airports and jails in states like Arizona, Nebraska, and Louisiana to expedite processing and reduce costs.

"Alligator Alcatraz" has faced legal challenges, with the ACLU of Florida filing a lawsuit alleging that detainees are denied legal access and due process. The lawsuit describes unsafe and isolated conditions at the site, where detainees are housed in tents and trailers. There have also been reports of hunger strikes at "Alligator Alcatraz," which DHS has denied, despite evidence to the contrary.

The "Speedway Slammer" is part of a broader DHS strategy to expand detention infrastructure in states willing to collaborate with federal immigration authorities. Indiana has already taken steps to support federal immigration enforcement, with Governor Braun signing agreements allowing state agencies to assist in detaining undocumented immigrants. These agreements, known as 287(g) agreements, enable designated state personnel to perform federal immigration enforcement functions, including arrests and deportations.

The Immigrant Welcome Center in Indianapolis has voiced concerns that these measures could create fear and distrust among immigrants in Indiana. Some worry that determining someone's immigration status and deportability based on a crime is complex and could lead to unnecessary detentions.

The Miami Correctional Facility, where the "Speedway Slammer" will be located, is making a significant portion of its capacity available to ICE. Camp Atterbury in Indiana is also available to house immigrant detainees.

While proponents argue these facilities are necessary to detain dangerous criminal aliens and enforce immigration laws, critics raise concerns about due process, legal access, and the potential for inhumane conditions. The debate surrounding "Alligator Alcatraz" and the planned "Speedway Slammer" highlights the ongoing controversy over immigration enforcement policies in the United States.