(BUNKER HILL, INDIANA) Federal and state officials plan to open 1,000 immigration detention beds inside the Miami Correctional Facility under a new program branded the Speedway Slammer. Announced August 5, 2025, the plan expands ICE operations in Indiana and ties directly to the revived 287(g) enforcement push.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the site will hold “the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.” Indiana Governor Mike Braun backed the move, saying the state will support federal enforcement and is “not a safe haven for illegal immigration.”
What the facility is and how it will work
- Location: Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill, about 75 miles from Indianapolis
- Capacity: 1,000 ICE beds within a 3,100-bed state prison; roughly 1,200 state beds sit empty now
- Timeline: No official start date yet; state officials say operational details are still being set
- Basis: Expanded 287(g), which lets ICE train and authorize local officers to perform certain immigration functions
- Funding: The “One Big Beautiful Bill” funded 80,000 new ICE beds nationwide and fully funded 287(g)
Officials say ICE will use Miami Correctional Facility space as a regional hub, processing people arrested under 287(g) agreements and moving cases through deportation procedures. DHS is also promoting the CBP Home App for voluntary departure, urging people who lack status to leave on their own to avoid detention.
Why the name is sparking backlash
DHS rolled out the Speedway Slammer name without input from the town of Speedway or Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Speedway leaders quickly distanced themselves, saying they had no part in the branding and want to protect local residents and businesses. Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar also objected, asking DHS not to use racing imagery.
Legal scholars warn the name could trigger intellectual property claims and harm the Speedway brand. Suneal Bedi of Indiana University raised concerns about brand confusion and reputational damage. DHS has not announced any changes to the moniker.
The branding dispute may lead to legal challenges and reputational fallout for local businesses and events.
What supporters and critics say
Supporters:
– Frame the project as a public safety measure that enforces immigration law and increases detention space.
– Say focusing on serious offenders keeps communities safer and speeds removals.
Critics:
– Note that 287(g) has historically swept up many people without criminal records.
– Worry about due process, access to lawyers, and oversight inside state prisons used for civil immigration detention.
– Point to past lawsuits at other facilities (including a Florida site called “Alligator Alcatraz”) as warnings about conditions and civil rights risks.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this Midwest detention buildout aligns with a broader national push to expand capacity and place more people in custody while cases move through immigration courts.
What this means for immigrants and families
- More arrests are likely in counties that sign 287(g) agreements, since trained local officers can check status, issue detainers, and hand people to ICE.
- People with old removal orders, pending asylum claims, or minor offenses may still face detention depending on local practices. Advocates urge families to prepare documents, keep a list of lawyers, and plan for childcare if a parent is detained.
- Detention can lengthen case timelines, especially if transfers move people far from home communities and legal help. Families should track A-numbers and use ICE’s online detainee locator.
Practical steps if a loved one is detained at Miami Correctional Facility
- Find the person:
- Use ICE’s Online Detainee Locator with the A-number or biographical data.
- Get legal help:
- Call local immigration legal aid groups and ask if they serve detainees at Bunker Hill.
- Ask about pro bono or low-cost screenings.
- Gather evidence:
- Identity documents, proof of family ties, medical records, and police/court papers can help with bond and relief claims.
- Address medical needs:
- Inform facility staff in writing about urgent health issues and keep copies. Document all requests and responses.
- Consular contact:
- Every detainee has the right to contact their consulate. Consulates can help with documents and may visit.
How 287(g) works in plain language
- 287(g) is a program where ICE signs agreements with local law enforcement.
- ICE trains local officers to:
- Check fingerprints
- Interview people about immigration status
- Start immigration paperwork
- This can occur in jails after arrests for any offense, including traffic stops, depending on local policy.
- Although billed as targeting serious crimes, past audits and lawsuits show many people with minor or no criminal history were caught up. Critics say this erodes trust between police and immigrant communities.
The money behind the beds
- The “One Big Beautiful Bill” funds 80,000 new ICE beds nationwide and pays for more 287(g) deals.
- Federal funding plus unused state prison space allows ICE to move fast without building new facilities. Supporters say that saves money and time.
- Opponents argue it sidesteps local input and may avoid environmental reviews.
Possible expansion to other Indiana sites
Officials are exploring Camp Atterbury for temporary detention. If used, that would increase capacity and spread operations beyond Bunker Hill. Local leaders and businesses near Atterbury may raise similar branding and reputation concerns.
What we don’t know yet
- Exact opening date
- Final intake and transfer procedures
- Rules for lawyer access and visitation schedules
- Medical staffing and grievance processes
An Indiana Department of Correction spokeswoman said the state and DHS are still sorting out how the partnership will run.
Guidance for employers, schools, and community groups
Employers:
– Review Form I-9 rules and avoid discrimination.
– Train HR staff on proper reverification timelines.
Schools and churches:
– Share know-your-rights materials and contacts for legal aid.
– Keep doors open to families seeking information.
Community groups:
– Track county-level 287(g) agreements and publish hotline numbers.
– Offer transportation for legal visits to Bunker Hill.
Rights reminders in simple terms
- You have the right to remain silent and to speak with a lawyer.
- Don’t sign papers you don’t understand. Ask for a copy in your language.
- If you fear return, say you are afraid to go back and want to seek asylum—ask for a credible fear interview.
- Keep your A-number with you or memorized; share it with a trusted person.
Important: If someone is detained, gather documentation, contact legal aid immediately, and notify loved ones of the A-number and facility location.
Where to find official information
For official policy and program details:
– ICE: ice.gov (detention standards, locator tools, field office contacts)
– DHS: dhs.gov (general information)
ICE’s pages have the most relevant guidance for detainee-related questions.
What happens next
- Expect more announcements on intake dates, transport rules, visitation, and legal access.
- Watch for continued branding disputes and possible legal action over the Speedway Slammer name.
- Civil rights groups may file complaints once detentions begin—especially if medical care or access to counsel falls short.
The bottom line
The Speedway Slammer at Miami Correctional Facility marks one of the largest ICE detention additions in the Midwest this year. Supporters call it a safety measure; critics warn it will pull in many non-criminal immigrants and strain families across Indiana.
Prepare now:
– Gather documents
– Line up legal contacts
– Share rights information widely
For immediate official resources, start at ice.gov and dhs.gov.
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