Tom Homan, the Trump administration's border czar, appeared unaware of the origin of the name 'Speedway Slammer' for a new migrant detention centre in Indiana. Speaking on Wednesday, Homan said he did not want the name to overshadow the work of immigration officers, calling it 'serious work and dangerous work'.
The facility, located at Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill, 70 miles north of Indianapolis, will provide up to 1,000 beds for detainees. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the partnership with Indiana on Tuesday, using the name 'Speedway Slammer' and sharing an AI-generated image of an IndyCar with ICE branding.
Penske Entertainment, owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, expressed concern over the use of its intellectual property. The company said it was unaware of the plans and communicated its preference that its imagery not be used in relation to the detention centre. It has not issued a cease-and-desist order.
Immigration advocates have criticised the lack of transparency. Gurinder Kaur, CEO of the Immigrant Welcome Center, questioned the costs: 'How will this become actualised? We still don't know yet. And what will the cost of this be on our communities? The emotional cost and the economic cost?'
Indiana Governor Mike Braun confirmed the state's partnership with federal authorities to free up beds at the facility. He said the state would cooperate with the federal government in deporting individuals unlawfully in the US, while ensuring due process.
Homan called on states to play a larger role in immigration enforcement, stating the need for 100,000 beds nationwide. The 'Speedway Slammer' is part of a broader network of detention centres, including 'Alligator Alcatraz' in Florida, which can hold up to 3,000 detainees.
