Hilton ends relationship with Minneapolis hotel after showing DHS, ICE rejection

Hilton Hotels announced Tuesday that it is ending its relationship with a private hotel in the Minneapolis area after a newly released video emerged confirming that the property was refusing to accommodate the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The decision came shortly after a video released Tuesday morning by freelance journalist Nick Sorter showed him trying to book a block of rooms at the Hilton’s Hampton Inn in Lakeville, Minn., where a front desk employee confirmed the hotel was still barring DHS and ICE agents.

The statements of the employees in this secretly recorded video appear to directly contradict the apology issued on Monday by the management company of this hotel, Everpeak Hospitality, which said that the matter has been resolved and that the property did not discriminate.

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“The private owner of the hotel assured us that they have fixed the problem and published a message confirming this,” said Hilton in a statement sent by Fox News. “The latest video clearly raises concerns that it does not meet our standards and standards. Therefore, we are taking immediate action to remove this hotel from our programs. Hilton is – and always has been – a place that welcomes everyone. We are also engaging with all franchise owners to strengthen the standards we hold them to throughout our program to help ensure this does not happen again.”

Everpeak Hospitality released a statement on Monday saying it is committed to welcoming all guests and operating in accordance with brand standards, applicable laws and its role as a professional hospitality provider.

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who said he is a Hilton shareholder, praised Hilton’s handling of the fast-moving controversy.

“Clearly, Hilton Hotels is terminating the deal immediately,” Ackman wrote. “Credit to Nick Sorter for his investigative work.”

“And credit to Hilton Hotels for their response,” he wrote in another post.

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Hilton’s Hampton Inn in Lakeville, Minn., where ICE says agents’ reservations were canceled, prompting an investigation into Hilton. (Google Maps / Google Maps)

Ackman had previously been embroiled in controversy at X after emails shared publicly by DHS and ICE appeared to show employees at the Lakeville location telling people connected to federal reservations that the hotel would not allow ICE or other immigration agents to stay.

Ackman noted that Hilton does not own or operate the hotel, that the property was operated by a commercial entity and that the decision to cancel the ICE reservation was made by the front office manager.

That claim was later downplayed by the video, leading Hilton to cut ties with the freelancer.

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Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman praised Hilton’s handling of the immediate situation. (Patrick Fallon/Bloomberg/Getty Images/Getty Images)

“Hilton is one of the most controlled companies in the world. Its CEO, Chris Nassetta, is one of the most prominent CEOs in the world. I know that he is highly respected by President Donald Trump and the current administration,” Ackman wrote before the release of Sorter’s video.

“Chris became personally involved in the situation from the moment he became aware of it and took immediate action,” he added. “As a Hilton customer and shareholder, I am relieved that this situation was handled appropriately and in a timely manner.”

Greg Wehner of Fox News contributedted in this report.