(INDIANA) Indiana Governor Mike Braun is pressing Washington to reimburse the state for helping remove people from the United States, as new 287(g) agreements and added detention space take effect in August 2025.
State and federal officials report that the Miami Correctional Facility now has up to 1,000 ICE beds, with higher federal per diem payments flowing to counties and agencies that house detainees.
What’s new this month
- Indiana’s Department of Homeland Security, State Police, Department of Correction, and National Guard have signed new 287(g) agreements with ICE, giving selected state officers federal immigration powers after training and certification.
- The state opened 1,000 new detention beds at the Miami Correctional Facility, part of a partnership nicknamed the “Speedway Slammer.”
- Counties are seeing higher federal payments for ICE detainee housing: $70 per detainee per day, rising to $90 per day in August 2025, with extra reimbursement for transport and related costs.
- Governor Mike Braun says Indiana’s support uses state resources to carry out federal priorities and should be fully backed by federal funds.
How the 287(g) program works in Indiana
Under 287(g), ICE can delegate certain immigration enforcement tasks to state or local officers. Indiana is using different models across agencies:
- Task Force model (Department of Homeland Security and State Police): joint operations, arrests, and detainers with ICE.
- Warrant Service Officer model (Department of Correction): serving administrative warrants and detainers within facilities.
- National Guard: providing facility support, not direct enforcement.
Officers must complete ICE training and pass exams before they can act under 287(g). Some agencies with signed agreements are still waiting for training slots and formal activation. Oversight and reporting follow federal standards.
For official program details, see ICE’s 287(g) overview: https://www.ice.gov/identify-and-arrest/287g
Money on the table
Federal reimbursement is central to the governor’s stance and to county budgets:
- Clark County’s rate moves from $70 to $90 per detainee per day in August 2025.
- Monthly revenue from ICE detainees is projected above $200,000, with annual totals over $2.3 million, based on current trends.
- Extra payments cover transport and other detention-related costs.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these per diem increases, combined with new capacity at Miami Correctional Facility, make Indiana a major player in federally funded detention. State officials argue this protects Indiana taxpayers while meeting federal demands.
Financial snapshot (example)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Current per diem | $70 / day |
| Per diem from Aug 2025 | $90 / day |
| Projected monthly revenue (example) | >$200,000 |
| Projected annual revenue (example) | >$2.3 million |
The detention network
Indiana’s detention footprint now includes:
- Miami Correctional Facility: up to 1,000 beds dedicated to ICE under the new partnership.
- Camp Atterbury: temporary housing site to manage surges.
- County jails, notably Clark County and Clay County, which have become core ICE holding centers with rising federal payments.
Local sheriffs describe smooth coordination with ICE, while defense attorneys warn about pressure on court calendars and public defenders if case volumes grow.
Who is getting picked up
Indiana’s expanded cooperation increases detention and removal risk, including for people without criminal records.
- In June 2025, 23% of ICE arrests in Indiana involved people with no criminal background, up from 6% in January, according to state and federal briefings.
- A common scenario described by legal aid groups: a long-time resident stopped for a traffic issue in a county with a 287(g) task force officer, leading to an ICE detainer and transfer to an ICE-designated facility—often far from family and counsel.
The distance to facilities makes it harder to gather documents and find legal help quickly.
Voices and viewpoints
- Governor Mike Braun: supports strong action against criminal non-citizens and insists on full federal reimbursement for state help; has flagged concerns about detaining people who lack criminal records.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem: praised Indiana’s partnership and confirmed federal funding to expand enforcement and detention capacity.
- County sheriffs: see steady revenue and predictable procedures.
- Immigration attorneys and advocates: raise due process concerns, potential civil rights risks, and pressure on families.
- Local communities: divided—some favor stricter enforcement; others fear overreach and humanitarian problems.
Governor Mike Braun’s message: if Indiana backs federal deportation operations, federal dollars must cover the cost.
Step-by-step: how cases move now
- State agencies sign 287(g) memoranda of understanding with ICE, setting roles and models.
- Agencies nominate officers for training; ICE provides instruction and exams.
- ICE or 287(g) officers make arrests; detainees are housed at Miami Correctional Facility, Camp Atterbury, or county jails.
- Counties and agencies invoice the federal government monthly for housing and transport; payments follow negotiated per diem rates.
- Agencies submit required reports and comply with federal standards under the program.
National picture
- The 287(g) program began in 1996.
- It was widened in 2025 under President Trump, with new funding and a push for broader state participation.
- Federal lawmakers also backed the One Big Beautiful Bill (2025), which set funding for about 80,000 new ICE detention beds nationwide.
Federal officials now point to Indiana as a model for state-federal coordination and cost-sharing.
Practical guidance for families, students, and employers
- Know your rights: you can ask to speak with a lawyer before signing any documents. Keep copies of key records (ID, proof of residence, school or work letters) in a safe, reachable place.
- Plan for dependents: identify caregivers and gather medical and school records in case of unexpected detention.
- Keep contact numbers handy: list a trusted lawyer, legal aid group, and family contacts.
- Check supervision options: some people may qualify for alternatives to detention; ask counsel about these paths.
- For employers: verify work authorization through normal I-9 steps, keep records current, and avoid discriminatory practices.
What to watch next
- Additional 287(g) partnerships could roll out across more Indiana agencies.
- More bed space may open if federal funds continue, especially if detainee flows rise.
- Policy debates may shape how much focus falls on non-criminal arrests, with possible adjustments to priorities.
- Advocacy groups are monitoring conditions; legal action could follow if violations are documented.
- County budgets may become more dependent on per diem revenue, which can shift with federal policy.
Bottom line
Indiana’s alignment with ICE is accelerating. The state has signed fresh 287(g) agreements, opened significant capacity at the Miami Correctional Facility, and secured higher federal reimbursements that can add up to millions for counties.
- Supporters say this partnership brings resources to match federal demands and prevents state taxpayers from footing the bill.
- Critics warn about due process issues, family separation, and the rising share of non-criminal arrests.
For now, Governor Mike Braun’s stance is clear: if Indiana backs federal deportation operations, federal dollars must cover the cost. As detention capacity grows and per diem rates climb, the stakes—for county budgets, families, and people facing removal—are growing too. The coming months will show whether Indiana’s model becomes a national template or whether pushback over who gets detained and under what conditions changes the path ahead.
This Article in a Nutshell
Indiana’s August 2025 287(g) expansion gives trained officers immigration authority, adds 1,000 Miami Correctional Facility ICE beds, and raises per diem reimbursements to $90, prompting debates over federal cost-sharing, due process risks, county revenues, and increased detentions of people without criminal records across state facilities.
