(INDIANA) The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on August 5, 2025, that Indiana will soon host a new 1,000-bed immigration detention center at Miami Correctional Facility, known as the “Speedway Slammer.” This move, part of President Trump’s 2025 immigration enforcement plan, aims to expand the country’s capacity to detain and deport noncitizens, especially those labeled as “criminal aliens.” The Speedway Slammer is expected to open by late summer or early fall 2025, with construction and retrofitting already underway.
Key Details of the Speedway Slammer
The Speedway Slammer will be the newest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center, following the recent opening of the “Alligator Alcatraz” facility in Florida. The Indiana facility adds 1,000 beds to the Midwest’s immigration detention capacity. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Indiana Governor Mike Braun announced the partnership, stressing its role in supporting mass deportation efforts.
Secretary Noem stated,
“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 @GovBraun 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. Avoid arrest and self deport now using the @CBP Home App.”
“We are proud to work with President Trump and Secretary Noem as they remove the worst of the worst with this innovative partnership. Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combating illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among the states.”
Policy Background and National Context
The Speedway Slammer is part of a much larger national strategy. President Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) into law on July 4, 2025. This law provides $45 billion through 2029 for immigration detention, quadrupling ICE’s annual detention budget. It also allows for family detention and indefinite detention of children and families, removing earlier legal protections.
The administration’s 2025 immigration agenda, outlined in Project 2025 and recent executive orders, focuses on:
- Mass detention and deportation
- Ending relief programs for undocumented immigrants
- Expanding cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement
The Speedway Slammer is just one of several new and expanded ICE facilities designed to help carry out what officials call the “largest domestic deportation operation in American history.”
Who Will Be Detained?
While officials say the facility will mainly house noncitizens with criminal records, the new enforcement policies mean a much wider group of undocumented immigrants could be detained. This includes people picked up in sensitive locations, such as schools or hospitals, because the administration has removed previous restrictions on where ICE can make arrests.
Detainees at the Speedway Slammer may be held for indefinite periods. This includes families and children, as the OBBBA overrides the Flores Settlement Agreement, which once limited how long children could be held in immigration detention.
Encouraging Voluntary Departure
The administration is urging undocumented immigrants to leave the United States 🇺🇸 on their own, using the CBP Home App. Those who do not comply risk being detained in facilities like the Speedway Slammer. This approach is meant to speed up deportations and reduce the number of people in the country without legal status.
Support and Criticism
Supporters of the expansion, including administration officials and allied state governments, argue that more immigration detention is needed for public safety and to enforce immigration laws. They say the Speedway Slammer and similar facilities will help remove dangerous individuals from the United States 🇺🇸.
However, critics, including civil rights groups, legal experts, and immigrant advocacy organizations, warn that the expansion will cause serious harm. They point to risks of:
- Violations of due process rights
- Family separation
- Humanitarian crises, especially for children and families held for long periods
Legal and immigrant rights groups are preparing to challenge the new law’s indefinite detention rules and the expansion of family detention, saying these policies violate both U.S. and international law.
Private Prison Industry Response
Private prison companies have welcomed the expansion. The new funding and contracts represent a major financial gain for these companies, as they often operate immigration detention centers under contract with ICE.
What Happens Next?
The Speedway Slammer is expected to be up and running by fall 2025. If current trends continue, more facilities like it may be announced in other states. Legal challenges to the OBBBA and related executive orders are already underway. Courts will likely decide whether the government can continue to detain families and children indefinitely.
What Does This Mean for Immigrants and Their Families?
For immigrants living in Indiana and the Midwest, the opening of the Speedway Slammer means a higher risk of detention, even for those without criminal records. Families may be separated, and children could be held for long periods. Many community groups are worried about the impact on local families and neighborhoods.
Immigrant rights organizations are urging those at risk to:
- Know their rights if approached by ICE
- Seek legal help as soon as possible
- Stay informed about changes in immigration law and policy
Practical Steps and Resources
If you or someone you know is concerned about immigration detention, here are some steps to take:
- ✅ Check your status: Use the ICE Detainee Locator to find information about loved ones who may be detained.
- ✅ Get legal help: Contact the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) for advice and representation.
- ✅ Know your rights: Many civil rights groups, such as the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights (civilrights.org), offer guides and support.
- ✅ Stay updated: Follow the DHS official website for the latest news on immigration detention and enforcement.
Looking Ahead
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the Speedway Slammer’s opening marks a major shift in immigration enforcement in the United States 🇺🇸. The facility’s impact will depend on how the courts rule on legal challenges and how communities respond. For now, immigrants, families, and advocates are bracing for changes and preparing to defend their rights.
For more information about immigration detention and your rights, visit the DHS official website.
The coming months will be critical as the Speedway Slammer opens and legal battles continue. Immigrants, families, and their supporters are encouraged to stay informed, seek legal help, and connect with trusted organizations for support.
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