Indiana Motor Speedway expressed displeasure at Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s announcement Tuesday that a new migrant detention center would reference the motorsport company.
“We were unaware of plans to incorporate our imagery as part of yesterday’s announcement. Consistent with our approach to public policy and political issues, we are communicating our preference that our IP not be utilized moving forward in relation to this matter,” INDYCAR said in a statement to the Washington Examiner.
As part of the announcement for the new “Speedway Slammer” detention center, DHS shared images of an IndyCar with “ICE” lettering in front of a prison.
DHS created the image to spread the word about the 1,000 beds the facility will add to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s holding capacity. Indiana’s “Speedway Slammer” is the alliterative sister facility to Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz,” as the Hoosier state becomes the second in line to partner with DHS on expanding ICE detention space.
“I don’t name the facilities,” White House border czar Tom Homan told the Washington Examiner Wednesday afternoon about the controversy. “But I’ll say this: The work of ICE — the men and women of ICE are trying to do their job with integrity and honor. I don’t want these names to take detract from that.”
Homan again emphasized that he “wasn’t involved” in choosing the name “Speedway Slammer.”
“But I want people to focus on the hard work and the dangerous work the men and women of ICE are doing,” he added. “I don’t want the names taking over the great work they’re going. This is serious work and it’s dangerous work, so I want to stick with that.”
The Indiana Department of Corrections will partner with DHS to add the additional beds to the existing Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill, Indiana, according to Tuesday’s DHS press release. Noem thanked Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) for his cooperation.
“Thanks to Governor Braun 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,” Noem said in the release.
Braun, a former U.S. senator from Indiana who bested democratic candidate Jennifer McCormick by over ten points to win his state’s gubernatorial race in 2024 with a Donald Trump endorsement, said he is “proud” to work with Noem and Trump on the initiative.
“Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combating illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among states,” Braun said.
Indiana remains under the federal spotlight this week as Vice President JD Vance heads to Indianapolis on Thursday to meet with Braun and state Republican legislators on the topic of redistricting its legislative map, the Indianapolis Star says. The push for more republican strongholds in Indiana comes as part of the administration’s efforts to secure more GOP house seats moving into the 2026 midterm elections.
NOEM REVEALS PLANS FOR ‘ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ SUCCESSOR IN INDIANA CALLED SPEEDWAY SLAMMER’
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) was the first governor to formally partner with Noem on expanding ICE detention capacity, rapidly opening Alligator Alcatraz after an eight-day assembly period in early July, according to the Miami Herald. The facility has the capacity to hold approximately 3,000 detainees in its remote location in the Florida Everglades. DeSantis said on Friday that 600 undocumented immigrants have been deported through the facility after being apprehended by state law enforcement officers.
Several human rights advocates have flagged the conditions at Alligator Alcatraz for its inhumane living and environmental conditions. The ACLU started a petition to “Shut Down ‘Alligator Alcatraz’”, pointing to reports of “maggot-infested food” given to detainees and environmental concerns surrounding flooding in the Everglades. Florida government officials have strongly pushed back against these reports.
“The reporting on the conditions in the facility is completely false. The facility meets all required standards and is in good working order,” Stephanie Hartman, director of communications for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, told CBS News.
A federal judge is set to hear testimony on the facility conditions this week. In the meantime, Kristi Noem remains steadfast that ICE detention centers should aim to emulate the Alligator Alcatraz facility, she told CBS News.