Latest news with #IndyCar-style
6 days ago
- Automotive
IndyCar officials and Pato O'Ward shocked by ICE-related 'Speedway Slammer' post
ARLINGTON, Texas -- IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward and series officials were shocked by a social media post from the Department of Homeland Security that touts plans for an immigration detention center in Indiana dubbed 'Speedway Slammer," and includes a car with the same number as the only Mexican driver in the series. 'It caught a lot of people off guard. Definitely caught me off guard,' O'Ward said Wednesday. 'I was just a little bit shocked at the coincidences of that and, you know, of what it means. ... I don't think it made a lot of people proud, to say the least.' The post Tuesday included an image of a IndyCar-style vehicle with the No. 5 that had 'ICE' imposed on it multiple times similar to the display of a sponsor. It appeared to be a computer-created image, with the car on a track and a prison-like building in the background. Indiana is home to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and is where the IndyCar Series is based. 'We were unaware of plans to incorporate our imagery as part of yesterday's announcement,' IndyCar said in a statement Wednesday. "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.' O'Ward said he didn't see the post until a friend texted him about it. 'I haven't really read into it too much because I don't think I want to,' he said. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in a separate post used 'SpeedwaySlammer' when announcing the new partnership with the state of Indiana to expand detention space by 1,000 beds. The 26-year-old O'Ward, who was born in Monterrey, Mexico, is second in points, though Alex Palou can clinch the IndyCar season title as early as this weekend in Portland. O'Ward was in Texas to promote next year's inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington. That race on March 15 will be on a 2.7-mile layout that goes around the home stadiums of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and MLB's Texas Rangers. O'Ward threw a ceremonial first pitch before the Rangers' game against the New York Yankees.
Los Angeles Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
New immigrant detention partnership nicknamed after iconic Indiana racetrack inspires backlash
Top Trump administration officials boast that a new state partnership to expand immigrant detention in Indiana will be the next so-called 'Alligator Alcatraz.' However, the agreement is already prompting backlash in the Midwest state, starting with its splashy 'Speedway Slammer' moniker. Here's a closer look at the agreement, the pushback and Indiana's role in the Trump agenda to aggressively detain and deport people who are in the country illegally. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem trumpeted the deal late Tuesday, saying Indiana would add 1,000 detention beds for immigrants facing deportation under a revived federal program. On social media, DHS also posted an altered image of a race car emblazoned with 'ICE,' short for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The IndyCar-style vehicle is shown rolling past a barbed-wire prison wall. 'If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Indiana's Speedway Slammer,' Noem said, likening it to the controversial facility built in the Florida Everglades. She added that the new partnership will 'help remove the worst of the worst out of our country.' However, the Indiana deal doesn't involve construction. Federal funds will be used for space at the Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill, roughly 75 miles north of Indianapolis. The prison's total capacity is 3,100 beds, of which 1,200 are not filled, according to Indiana Department of Correction spokeswoman Annie Goeller. Officials did not say when the detentions would start. 'Details about the partnership and how IDOC can best support those efforts are being determined,' Geoller said. The deal is part of the decades-old 287(g) program, which Trump has revived and expanded. It delegates immigration enforcement powers to state and local law enforcement agencies. Immigrants, attorneys and advocates have raised a number of concerns about the program, including a lack of oversight. The Florida detention facility has prompted lawsuits and complaints about poor conditions and violations of detainees' rights. Authorities have disputed the claims. Republican Gov. Mike Braun first announced the federal partnership on Friday. 'Indiana is not a safe haven for illegal immigration,' he said. 'Indiana will fully partner with federal immigration authorities as they enforce the most fundamental laws of our country.' The outlandish name quickly drew backlash, notably from the town of Speedway, an Indianapolis suburb which is home to the iconic racetrack that hosts the Indianapolis 500. 'This designation was developed and released independently by the federal agency, without the Town's involvement or prior notice regarding the use of the name 'Speedway,'' officials from the Indiana town of roughly 14,000 said in a statement. 'Our primary focus remains the well-being of our residents, businesses, and visitors.' IndyCar officials were also caught off guard. 'We were unaware of plans to incorporate our imagery as part of announcement,' IndyCar said, asking that its intellectual property 'not be utilized moving forward in relation to this matter.' The altered image used by DHS featured an IndyCar with the No. 5, the same number as the only Mexican driver in the series. 'I was just a little bit shocked at the coincidences of that and, you know, of what it means,' IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward said Wednesday. 'I don't think it made a lot of people proud, to say the least.' President Trump's border top border policy advisor Tom Homan said Wednesday that he didn't name the facility. '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,' he told reporters at the White House. 'I don't want these names to detract from that.' Leaders in the Trump administration have already singled out Indiana as key to their immigration agenda. Braun, a first-term governor and former U.S. senator, has been a strong Trump supporter. In January, Braun signed an executive order directing law enforcement agencies to 'fully cooperate' on immigration enforcement. The nation's newest immigration court opened in Indianapolis earlier this year as a way to address the backlog and divert cases from the busy courthouse in Chicago. Federal and state leaders are also working on plans to use a central Indiana military base, Camp Atterbury, to temporarily house detainees. 'Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combating illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among states,' Braun said in a statement Tuesday. Tareen writes for the Associated Press. Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report.
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Immigrant detention partnership nicknamed after the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway inspires backlash
Top Trump administration officials boast that a new state partnership to expand immigrant detention in Indiana will be the next so-called ' Alligator Alcatraz.' However, the agreement is already prompting backlash in the Midwest state, starting with its splashy 'Speedway Slammer' moniker. Here's a closer look at the agreement, the pushback and Indiana's role in the Trump agenda to aggressively detain and deport people in the country illegally. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem trumpeted the deal late Tuesday, saying Indiana would add 1,000 detention beds for immigrants facing deportation under a revived federal program. On social media, DHS also posted an altered image of a race car emblazoned with 'ICE,' short for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The IndyCar-style vehicle is shown rolling past a barbed-wire prison wall. 'If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Indiana's Speedway Slammer,' Noem said, likening it to the controversial facility built in the Florida Everglades. She added the new partnership will 'help remove the worst of the worst out of our country.' However, the Indiana deal doesn't involve construction. Federal funds will be used for space at the Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill, roughly 75 miles north of Indianapolis. The prison's total capacity is 3,100 beds, of which 1,200 are not filled, according to Indiana Department of Correction spokeswoman Annie Goeller. Officials did not say when the detentions would start. 'Details about the partnership and how IDOC can best support those efforts are being determined,' Geoller said. The deal is part of the decades-old 287(g) program, which Trump has revived and expanded. It delegates immigration enforcement powers to state and local law enforcement agencies. Immigrants, attorneys and advocates have raised a number of concerns about the program, including a lack of oversight. The Florida detention facility has prompted lawsuits and complaints about poor conditions and violations of detainees' rights. Authorities have disputed the claims. Republican Gov. Mike Braun first announced the federal partnership on Friday. 'Indiana is not a safe haven for illegal immigration,' he said. 'Indiana will fully partner with federal immigration authorities as they enforce the most fundamental laws of our country.' The outlandish name quickly drew backlash, notably from the town of Speedway, an Indianapolis suburb which is home to the iconic racetrack that hosts the Indianapolis 500. 'This designation was developed and released independently by the federal agency, without the Town's involvement or prior notice regarding the use of the name 'Speedway,' ' officials with the Indiana town of roughly 14,000 said in a statement. 'Our primary focus remains the well-being of our residents, businesses, and visitors.' IndyCar officials were also caught off guard. 'We were unaware of plans to incorporate our imagery as part of announcement,' IndyCar said, asking that its intellectual property 'not be utilized moving forward in relation to this matter.' The altered image used by DHS featured an IndyCar with the No. 5, the same number as the only Mexican driver in the series. 'I was just a little bit shocked at the coincidences of that and, you know, of what it means,' IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward said Wednesday. 'I don't think it made a lot of people proud, to say the least.' President Donald Trump's border czar Tom Homan said Wednesday that he didn't name the facility. '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,' he told reporters at the White House. 'I don't want these names to detract from that.' Leaders in the Trump administration have already singled out Indiana as key to their immigration agenda. Braun, a first-term governor and former U.S. senator, has been a strong Trump supporter. In January, Braun signed an executive order directing law enforcement agencies to 'fully cooperate' on immigration enforcement. The nation's newest immigration court opened in Indianapolis earlier this year as a way to address the backlog and divert cases from the busy courthouse in Chicago. Federal and state leaders are also working on plans to use a central Indiana military base, Camp Atterbury, to temporarily house detainees. 'Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combating illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among states,' Braun said in a statement Tuesday.
San Francisco Chronicle
6 days ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
A new immigrant detention partnership nicknamed after Indiana's iconic racetrack inspires backlash
Top Trump administration officials boast that a new state partnership to expand immigrant detention in Indiana will be the next so-called ' Alligator Alcatraz.' However, the agreement is already prompting backlash in the Midwest state, starting with its splashy 'Speedway Slammer' moniker. Here's a closer look at the agreement, the pushback and Indiana's role in the Trump agenda to aggressively detain and deport people in the country illegally. More beds, not new construction Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem trumpeted the deal late Tuesday, saying Indiana would add 1,000 detention beds for immigrants facing deportation under a revived federal program. On social media, DHS also posted an altered image of a race car emblazoned with 'ICE,' short for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The IndyCar-style vehicle is shown rolling past a barbed-wire prison wall. 'If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Indiana's Speedway Slammer,' Noem said, likening it to the controversial facility built in the Florida Everglades. She added the new partnership will 'help remove the worst of the worst out of our country.' However, the Indiana deal doesn't involve construction. Federal funds will be used for space at the Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill, roughly 75 miles (120.7 kilometers) north of Indianapolis. The prison's total capacity is 3,100 beds, of which 1,200 are not filled, according to Indiana Department of Correction spokeswoman Annie Goeller. Officials did not say when the detentions would start. 'Details about the partnership and how IDOC can best support those efforts are being determined,' Geoller said. The deal is part of the decades-old 287(g) program, which Trump has revived and expanded. It delegates immigration enforcement powers to state and local law enforcement agencies. Immigrants, attorneys and advocates have raised a number of concerns about the program, including a lack of oversight. The Florida detention facility has prompted lawsuits and complaints about poor conditions and violations of detainees' rights. Authorities have disputed the claims. 'Indiana is not a safe haven for illegal immigration," he said. "Indiana will fully partner with federal immigration authorities as they enforce the most fundamental laws of our country.' Pushback to a borrowed name The outlandish name quickly drew backlash, notably from the town of Speedway, an Indianapolis suburb which is home to the iconic racetrack that hosts the Indianapolis 500. 'This designation was developed and released independently by the federal agency, without the Town's involvement or prior notice regarding the use of the name 'Speedway,' ' officials with the Indiana town of roughly 14,000 said in a statement. 'Our primary focus remains the well-being of our residents, businesses, and visitors.' IndyCar officials were also caught off guard. 'We were unaware of plans to incorporate our imagery as part of announcement,' IndyCar said, asking that its intellectual property 'not be utilized moving forward in relation to this matter.' The altered image used by DHS featured an IndyCar with the No. 5, the same number as the only Mexican driver in the series. 'I was just a little bit shocked at the coincidences of that and, you know, of what it means,' IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward said Wednesday. 'I don't think it made a lot of people proud, to say the least.' President Donald Trump's border czar Tom Homan said Wednesday that he didn't name the facility. '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,' he told reporters at the White House. 'I don't want these names to detract from that.' Indiana embraces immigration enforcement Leaders in the Trump administration have already singled out Indiana as key to their immigration agenda. Braun, a first-term governor and former U.S. senator, has been a strong Trump supporter. In January, Braun signed an executive order directing law enforcement agencies to 'fully cooperate' on immigration enforcement. The nation's newest immigration court opened in Indianapolis earlier this year as a way to address the backlog and divert cases from the busy courthouse in Chicago. Federal and state leaders are also working on plans to use a central Indiana military base, Camp Atterbury, to temporarily house detainees. 'Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combating illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among states,' Braun said in a statement Tuesday.
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
A new immigrant detention partnership nicknamed after Indiana's iconic racetrack inspires backlash
Top Trump administration officials boast that a new state partnership to expand immigrant detention in Indiana will be the next so-called ' Alligator Alcatraz.' However, the agreement is already prompting backlash in the Midwest state, starting with its splashy 'Speedway Slammer' moniker. Here's a closer look at the agreement, the pushback and Indiana's role in the Trump agenda to aggressively detain and deport people in the country illegally. More beds, not new construction Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem trumpeted the deal late Tuesday, saying Indiana would add 1,000 detention beds for immigrants facing deportation under a revived federal program. On social media, DHS also posted an altered image of a race car emblazoned with 'ICE,' short for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The IndyCar-style vehicle is shown rolling past a barbed-wire prison wall. 'If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Indiana's Speedway Slammer,' Noem said, likening it to the controversial facility built in the Florida Everglades. She added the new partnership will 'help remove the worst of the worst out of our country.' However, the Indiana deal doesn't involve construction. Federal funds will be used for space at the Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill, roughly 75 miles (120.7 kilometers) north of Indianapolis. The prison's total capacity is 3,100 beds, of which 1,200 are not filled, according to Indiana Department of Correction spokeswoman Annie Goeller. Officials did not say when the detentions would start. 'Details about the partnership and how IDOC can best support those efforts are being determined,' Geoller said. The deal is part of the decades-old 287(g) program, which Trump has revived and expanded. It delegates immigration enforcement powers to state and local law enforcement agencies. Immigrants, attorneys and advocates have raised a number of concerns about the program, including a lack of oversight. The Florida detention facility has prompted lawsuits and complaints about poor conditions and violations of detainees' rights. Authorities have disputed the claims. Republican Gov. Mike Braun first announced the federal partnership on Friday. 'Indiana is not a safe haven for illegal immigration,' he said. 'Indiana will fully partner with federal immigration authorities as they enforce the most fundamental laws of our country.' Pushback to a borrowed name The outlandish name quickly drew backlash, notably from the town of Speedway, an Indianapolis suburb which is home to the iconic racetrack that hosts the Indianapolis 500. 'This designation was developed and released independently by the federal agency, without the Town's involvement or prior notice regarding the use of the name 'Speedway,' ' officials with the Indiana town of roughly 14,000 said in a statement. 'Our primary focus remains the well-being of our residents, businesses, and visitors.' IndyCar officials were also caught off guard. 'We were unaware of plans to incorporate our imagery as part of announcement,' IndyCar said, asking that its intellectual property 'not be utilized moving forward in relation to this matter.' The altered image used by DHS featured an IndyCar with the No. 5, the same number as the only Mexican driver in the series. 'I was just a little bit shocked at the coincidences of that and, you know, of what it means,' IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward said Wednesday. 'I don't think it made a lot of people proud, to say the least.' President Donald Trump's border czar Tom Homan said Wednesday that he didn't name the facility. '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,' he told reporters at the White House. 'I don't want these names to detract from that.' Indiana embraces immigration enforcement Leaders in the Trump administration have already singled out Indiana as key to their immigration agenda. Braun, a first-term governor and former U.S. senator, has been a strong Trump supporter. In January, Braun signed an executive order directing law enforcement agencies to 'fully cooperate' on immigration enforcement. The nation's newest immigration court opened in Indianapolis earlier this year as a way to address the backlog and divert cases from the busy courthouse in Chicago. Federal and state leaders are also working on plans to use a central Indiana military base, Camp Atterbury, to temporarily house detainees. 'Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combating illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among states,' Braun said in a statement Tuesday. ___ Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report.
