Trump Admin’s “Speedway Slammer” Detention Branding Sparks Backlash

Federal officials are moving to expand immigration detention in Indiana this week, branding the plan the “Speedway Slammer.” The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says it will lease 1,000 detention beds at the Miami Correctional Facility near Bunker Hill. Local leaders, IndyCar officials, and immigrant advocates are pushing back hard.

Announcement and rollout

• DHS announced the partnership on August 5–6, 2025, promoting it as part of the 287(g) program, which lets state and local officers help enforce federal immigration laws.
• The rollout featured an AI-made racing image with “ICE” printed on a car, tying the effort to Indiana’s racing identity and sparking immediate anger.
• DHS and state officials have emphasized the enforcement angle; critics point to the branding and imagery as unnecessary and offensive.

What’s changing and when it starts

• DHS will not build a new jail. Instead, it will lease up to 1,000 detention beds inside the existing Miami Correctional Facility, which has a capacity of about 3,100 and currently has ~1,200 unfilled beds.
• Officials have not given a start date. As of August 8, operational details are still under review.
• The state and ICE are also discussing temporary use of Camp Atterbury to hold people in transit, though those plans remain tentative.

Why DHS says the expansion is needed

• DHS, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, says the extra beds will speed removals of “the worst of the worst.”
• Indiana Governor Mike Braun backs the partnership, saying the state will support federal enforcement efforts.
• The department frames the Speedway Slammer as part of a wider push to expand arrests and fast-track deportations under 287(g).

Who objects and why

• Town of Speedway leaders condemned using their town’s name, saying they weren’t consulted and want to protect residents and businesses from any link to a detention brand.
• IndyCar officials objected to DHS’s race-car imagery and asked that their look and identity not be used to market a detention site.
• Immigrant justice groups warn the plan risks due process problems and harmful conditions, citing lawsuits and complaints tied to Florida’s facility that the administration has cited as a model.

About the 287(g) program

• 287(g) allows approved local officers to perform certain immigration tasks after training and under federal supervision. In plain terms, it can turn parts of local law enforcement into a pipeline to ICE.
• Supporters say 287(g) helps identify people with criminal records; critics argue past programs suffered weak oversight and racial profiling.
• For official background, see the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) page on 287(g), which explains agreement types and allowed tasks.

Branding backlash

• DHS used the phrase “Speedway Slammer” in official messaging, including an IndyCar-style image showing a car near barbed wire. The term blends Indiana’s racing culture with detention—many locals call it insulting.
• DHS and Secretary Noem dismiss the criticism, arguing the imagery doesn’t break intellectual property rules and stressing the enforcement mission.

What this means for families and communities

If detentions begin, Indiana families could see:
– More local arrests transferred to ICE via 287(g) screening inside jails.
– Faster movement from arrest to detention far from home, making it harder to find a lawyer.
– Increased fear in mixed-status households, including U.S. citizen children.

Advocates warn:
– People with no criminal history may still be swept up if local partners refer more cases.
– Concerns about access to medical care, language services, and attorney visits in a prison built for criminal custody rather than civil immigration detention.

Links to Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz”

• The administration points to Florida’s facility as proof the model can scale quickly.
• However, Florida’s site faces active lawsuits and complaints over poor conditions and limited access to counsel.
• Indiana groups warn similar issues could surface here if oversight is weak and detention grows faster than monitoring and legal aid.

Key players

• DHS Secretary Kristi Noem — leading federal rollout
• Governor Mike Braun — announced state partnership
• ICE and Indiana Department of Corrections — will run operations and logistics
• Town of Speedway and IndyCar — object to branding and imagery use

Unknowns and open questions

• The exact start date for detentions at Miami Correctional Facility.
• Which local jails will sign 287(g) agreements and how many officers will be trained.
• Whether Camp Atterbury will be used and under what rules.
• Oversight standards for medical care, grievances, and attorney access.

Practical steps for affected residents

1. Know your rights:
   • You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak to a lawyer.
   • Do not sign documents you don’t understand.
2. Prepare documents:
   • Keep copies of IDs, court papers, and proof of ties (children’s school records, lease, pay stubs) in a safe place.
3. Plan for family care:
   • Arrange child care and emergency contacts; memorize key phone numbers.
4. Find legal help:
   • Contact reputable nonprofits, local immigrant rights groups, and the Indiana bar’s lawyer referral service.
   • The Detention Watch Network lists member groups that work on detention cases.
5. Track custody:
   • Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator to find a detained person and their facility.

Possible legal and policy outcomes

• Lawsuits are likely, over branding use, public records, or detention conditions.
• Advocacy groups may challenge 287(g) agreements at the county level through public meetings and budget processes.
• County sheriffs could face pressure from residents, churches, and businesses concerned about family and labor market impacts.
• The administration signaled plans to replicate this model in other states, especially near major airports and jails, suggesting potential rapid expansion if Indiana proceeds.

How sponsors, employers, and students could be affected

• Employers: Expect workforce disruptions if arrests occur at or near job sites or after traffic stops. Consider know-your-rights trainings and support for affected employees.
• Sponsors: People who filed family petitions may worry about household members. Keep USCIS receipts and court notices organized.
• Students: Mixed-status families may face sudden moves, affecting school attendance and mental health. Schools can connect families to local legal aid.

Questions the public should ask officials now

• What are the written standards for attorney access, medical care, grievances, and language services inside the Speedway Slammer?
• How will 287(g) partners be trained, monitored, and audited?
• Will there be public dashboards on detentions, transfers, and releases?
• What protections will exist for victims and witnesses cooperating with police?

Bookmark: the ICE 287(g) program page — it offers details on agreement types and oversight, helping residents understand what local police may and may not do. Analysis by VisaVerge.com notes community oversight and transparent reporting have been uneven in past 287(g) rollouts, which makes early public engagement in Indiana especially important.

What to watch next

• DHS and the Indiana Department of Corrections will finalize start dates and procedures.
• Local governments will debate whether to join 287(g), likely at public meetings.
• Advocacy groups may file lawsuits or seek injunctions, citing Florida’s documented problems.

Bottom line

The Speedway Slammer plan raises high-stakes questions about enforcement, fairness, and local identity. Without clear safeguards and public reporting, the risk of rights violations and community harm remains real. Residents should ask tough questions now—and prepare.