Speedway Slammer Joins Alligator Alcatraz as Detention Network Expands to Increase Deportations

August 6, 2025 - Indianapolis, IN – The Trump administration has unveiled a new weapon in the fight against illegal immigration with the "Speedway Slammer," a 1,000-bed detention facility set to open at the Miami Correctional Facility, roughly 60 miles north of Indianapolis. Announced by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, this Indiana partnership with Governor Mike Braun mirrors the success of Florida’s "Alligator Alcatraz," signaling a push to expand detention capacity and enforce immigration laws against the rising tide of illegal entries.

Noem declared, “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 Governor Braun for his partnership to help remove the worst of the worst out of our country.” She urged those here illegally to self-deport using the CBP Home App, avoiding the Slammer’s secure confines. Braun echoed the commitment, stating, “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 states.”

The Speedway Slammer builds on the momentum of Alligator Alcatraz, a Florida Everglades facility that began operations in July, deporting hundreds of illegal aliens via airlifts. Both sites reflect a strategic shift under Trump’s second term to detain and remove criminal illegal aliens, funded by the One Big Beautiful Bill, which allocated resources for 80,000 new ICE beds nationwide. This legislative backbone, signed in July, also bolsters the 287(g) program, empowering local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE.

Across the country, the demand for detention space is surging. ICE’s goal to expand capacity to 100,000 beds reflects the reality of over 66,000 illegal alien arrests in Trump’s first 100 days, with three-quarters having criminal records. Virginia reported 2,500 such arrests in July alone, while southwestern border districts charged over 1,300 with immigration crimes in a single week. New facilities are popping up, with Arizona and Nebraska exploring sites near runways for efficient deportations, following Noem’s model. These efforts target the “worst of the worst”—pedophiles, drug traffickers, and violent offenders—detained in operations across the nation.

The need is urgent. Open borders under prior policies flooded communities with criminals, from murderers in Texas to robbers in New Mexico, straining law enforcement and public safety. ICE’s July sweep nabbed 214 for immigration offenses, many with violent pasts, underscoring the scale of the threat.

This expansion isn’t just about detention—it’s about deterrence. The Speedway Slammer and its counterparts signal that illegal entry carries consequences, encouraging self-deportation and reinforcing border security. As more states step up, the network grows stronger, ensuring the worst are removed.