A new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility is slated to open in Indiana, according to an announcement made on Tuesday by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The facility, dubbed "Speedway Slammer," will be housed at the Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill, Indiana, roughly 60 miles north of Indianapolis. This initiative aims to expand detention bed space by 1,000 beds.
Secretary Noem announced the partnership with the state of Indiana via a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. She stated the facility would help "remove the worst of the worst out of our country". The name "Speedway Slammer" is a reference to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home to the Indy 500.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun voiced his support for the project, stating, "We are proud to work with President Trump and Secretary Noem as they remove the worst of the worst with this innovative partnership". He added, "Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combating illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among states".
The "Speedway Slammer" follows the opening of "Alligator Alcatraz" in Florida a month prior, with the Trump administration officials commending both facilities for their rapid rollout and state government partnerships. Secretary Noem has referred to Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz" as a model for similar centers across the nation, noting ongoing conversations with five other states to develop related sites.
The announcement has elicited varied reactions, with Senator Jim Banks, Republican of Indiana, expressing his support on X, stating that Indiana is proud to support President Trump's mass deportation efforts.
DHS indicated that announcements regarding similar partnerships in additional states are forthcoming, as the administration seeks to rapidly multiply detention capacity in preparation for mass deportations.
The expansion of detention facilities has raised concerns from human rights, immigration, and environmental organizations, who cite issues related to due process, health standards, and the impact on nearby communities. There have been reports of outrage from politicians, detainees, and civilians regarding the conditions of the "Alligator Alcatraz" facility, with some detainees staging hunger strikes in protest.
Secretary Noem is encouraging undocumented immigrants in the U.S. to "self-deport now using the CBP Home App" to avoid arrest and detention at facilities like the "Speedway Slammer". Individuals who self-deport and provide proof of doing so will receive $1,000 to help them reestablish themselves.
Concerns have been raised regarding the potential use of Camp Atterbury in Indiana as an immigration detention facility. Representative André Carson sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, raising concerns about legal rights, humane treatment, and national security.
The "Speedway Slammer" is intended to house individuals that DHS has described as among the "worst of the worst". The facility is made possible by the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which fully funded the 287(g) program and provided funding to secure 80,000 new beds for ICE to utilize when detaining and deporting. Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, said there are about 60,000 beds currently available for detained immigrants and the goal is to expand to 100,000.
