Indiana plans to hold up to 1,000 illegal immigrants in 'The Speedway Slammer'

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The next Alligator Alcatraz is coming to Indiana.

Gov. Mike Braun announced last week that the state will work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to house illegal immigrants at the Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill, north of Kokomo.

Kristi Noem, director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said Tuesday that up to 1,000 beds will be available at the prison, which will be called "The Speedway Slammer."

"If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Indiana’s Speedway Slammer," Noem said in a post on X.

In a statement to Fox News, Braun said Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combating illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among states.

"We are proud to work with President Trump and Secretary Noem as they remove the worst of the worst with this innovative partnership," Braun said.

Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, said there are about 60,000 beds currently available for detained immigrants and the goal is to expand to 100,000.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that Camp Atterbury in Indiana, will be a temporary site for immigrants, along with Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. Hegseth notified members of Congress from both states about the plan to potentially detain thousands of people on bases on U.S. soil.

"This action is a critical step toward restoring the rule of law and addressing the unfair crisis caused by unchecked illegal immigration. By expanding detention capacity in states throughout the country, President Trump is ensuring illegal aliens are detained while they await deportation—not set loose into our communities due to a lack of bed space," Rokita said in a statement.

"For too long, Hoosier communities have borne the burden of open-border policies, facing increased crime, human trafficking, and strain on our schools, hospitals, and other taxpayer-funded resources. Using Camp Atterbury to securely detain illegal aliens pending immigration proceedings or deportation sends a clear message: Indiana will not tolerate lawlessness."

Hegseth said the presence of the detainees would not negatively affect the bases' operations or training. Officials have not said when detainees could begin arriving at the facilities or if other military bases are under consideration.

Hegseth tells lawmakers about plan to detain immigrants at bases in Indiana and New Jersey