Noem touts ‘Speedway Slammer,’ 1,000 Indiana prison beds for ICE detention

WASHINGTON (WISH) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed on Tuesday a new partnership with Indiana government to expand detention space for people arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the initiative nicknamed “Speedway Slammer” will use 1,000 beds at the Miami Correctional Center near the Miami County town of Bunker Hill, Indiana. That’s about a 75-minute drive north of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun had first announced the plan on Aug. 1, as News 8 reported.

Money to pay for the 80,000 new beds for ICE was included in the massive federal spending bill that President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4. The 287(g) program, also funded by the same bill, allows local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE in identifying and detaining illegal immigrants.

A Homeland Security news release issued Tuesday said the Speedway Slammer is the second state partnership following “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Florida Everglades to expand ICE detention facilities. The Florida facility was expected to have space for 5,000 beds.

Noem said in the release and in a social media post issued late Tuesday afternoon, “COMING SOON to Indiana: The Speedway Slammer. 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.”

Homeland Security later shared another social media post with an image of an IndyCar, with “ICE” on the side, speeding past what appears to be a prison, and the text “The Speedway Slammer” followed by a checkered flag.

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