DHS Secretary Kristi Noem unveils plans for new migrant detention space in Indiana: ‘The Speedway Slammer’  

The Trump administration is collaborating with Indiana to expand capacity at a state correctional facility in order to hold illegal migrants, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Tuesday – dubbing the new wing of the prison, “The Speedway Slammer.” 

“Today, we’re announcing a new partnership with the state of Indiana to expand detention bed space by 1,000 beds,” Noem wrote on X. “Thanks to [Indiana Gov. Mike 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.” 

The name is a nod to Indiana’s auto racing culture, particularly the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is located about 75 miles south of the new detention space at the Miami Correctional Facility. 

Braun, a former Republican US senator, announced on Aug.1 that Indiana would “fully partner with federal immigration authorities” to assist President Trump carry out mass deportations. 

As part of the partnership, the Indiana Department of Correction would work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to make available up to 1,000 beds at Miami Correctional Facility, near Bunker Hill, Ind., and the Grissom Joint Air Reserve Base, to house migrants slated for deportation, Braun said. 

Camp Atterbury – operated by the Indiana National Guard – will also be made available for temporary use by DHS to house illegal migrants subject to deportation, according to the governor. 

“We are proud to work with President Trump and Secretary Noem as they remove the worst of the worst with this innovative partnership,” Braun said in a statement. 

“Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combating illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among states,” he added. 

DHS noted the agreement was “fully funded” by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Trump signed into law on July 4, which authorized spending for 80,000 new beds for ICE to utilize when detaining and deporting migrants. 

Indiana’s “Speedway Slammer” follows the opening of Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” earlier this summer to assist the Trump administration’s deportation efforts. 

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis opened the swampland facility, located deep in the Everglades and on the site of an old airport, on July 3. 

The property, outfitted with tent structures to house the illegal migrants, has the capacity for 2,000 detainees but will eventually hold 4,000.

The Trump administration began deporting migrants directly from the Alligator Alcatraz airport, which is able to accept commercial-sized aircraft and conduct both day and nighttime operations, on July 25.