Oct 1, 2025 - News

First ICE detainees arrive at Indiana prison

Arika Herron

Photo illustration of an ICE agent looking at a dollar bill locked behind a chain link fence — Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photo: Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Over a dozen Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees arrived at Miami Correctional Facility Wednesday — the first to arrive since the northern Indiana prison was designated a detention center — and that number could grow to 100 by the end of the week.

The big picture: The state is spending about $16 million to update the facility and will make up to 1,000 beds available for male detainees.

ICE will pay Indiana $291.94 for each detainee per day, per a contract between ICE and the state.

What they're saying: "From the beginning, I've said Indiana is going to be a state that's going to cooperate with ICE," Gov. Mike Braun told reporters during an event with the Indiana State Police Wednesday. "We're not going to be a sanctuary state."

"It does take a while to ramp things up, and you're seeing the beginning of it."
Braun added that the state will continue to be accommodating to the Department of Homeland Security.

The other side: Earlier this week, local clergy held a prayer vigil outside the prison in protest of the plan to use it for detainees.

The intrigue: Braun held the event to applaud the work of the ISP, but did not mention the agency's partnership with ICE.

It has a memorandum of understanding with ICE through the 287(g) program that gives state police officers limited immigration authority during their routine police duties.
Instead, Braun used the event to continue his criticism of Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears.

Between the lines: The Department of Homeland Security said that immigration enforcement efforts remain unchanged during the government shutdown.

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First ICE detainees arrive at Indiana prison

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