Hilton is investigating a Minneapolis hotel that allegedly turned away DHS, ICE agents
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Hilton Hotels said it is investigating a privately-run Minneapolis suburb after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleged that law enforcement officials were barred from working, a dispute that has renewed scrutiny of the company’s long-standing opposition to immigration-related work at its hotels.
Emails shared on social media by DHS and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) appear to show employees at the Hampton Inn by Hilton Lakeville, Minnesota, telling people connected to DHS reservations that the property will not allow ICE or other immigration agents to stay.
A spokesperson for Hilton told FOX Business that the company is investigating the incident and said that the actions described do not reflect Hilton’s principles.
“Hilton hotels serve as hospitality venues for all. This hotel is owned and operated, and the actions referred to do not reflect Hilton values,” the spokesperson said. “We are investigating this matter on a hotel-by-hotel basis, and we can confirm that Hilton is working with governments, law enforcement and community leaders around the world to ensure that our facilities are open and welcoming to all.”
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Hilton’s Hampton Inn in Lakeville, Minnesota, where ICE says agents’ reservations were canceled, prompting Hilton’s investigation. (Google Maps / Google Maps)
A spokesperson later reached out to FOX Business to reiterate that Hampton Inn is owned and operated and that its actions do not reflect Hilton’s values.
“We have been in direct contact with the hotel, they apologize for the actions of their team that are not in line with their goals,” said the spokesperson. “They acted quickly to resolve this issue. Hilton’s vision is clear: Our properties are open to everyone and we do not tolerate discrimination.”
The management company that owns the Hampton Inn, Everpeak Hospitality, also issued a statement 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.
“Everpeak Hospitality immediately stood up to deal with this issue as it was not in line with our policy of being a place that welcomes everyone,” said Everpeak. “We are contacting the affected guests to make sure they are taken care of. We do not discriminate against people or organizations and we apologize to those affected.”
The Hampton Inn came under scrutiny after ICE said reservations made by its agents were canceled, prompting ICE and DHS to publicly question the hotel’s actions.
ICE shared a string of emails to X, posting, “Hey @HiltonHotels – why did your team in Minneapolis cancel our reservation for federal law enforcement and agents?”
ICE also posted screenshots of the emails.
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ICE and DHS suspected law enforcement officials were denied access to the Hampton Inn by Hilton in Lakeville, Minnesota. (Joshua Lott/The Washington Post/Getty Images)
“After further investigation online, we have received information about an immigration transaction linked to your name and will be canceling your upcoming reservation,” one email from Hilton’s email address read. “You should see the correct cancellation email in your inbox soon from Hilton.”
In another email shared with X, the hotel mentioned a reservation made at the Hampton Inn Lakeville location.
“We noticed a flood of GOV bookings made today that were for DHS, and we do not allow any ICE or immigration agents to stay on our property,” the email read. “If you have DHS or immigration, let us know as we will have to cancel your reservation.
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“Please pass this information on to your colleagues that we do not allow any immigration agents to live on our premises,” the email continued.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital in a statement, “Hilton has launched a concerted campaign in Minneapolis to REFUSE DHS law enforcement. While officials are trying to book rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton Hotels is brutally CANCELING their reservations.”
“This is NOT acceptable,” said McLaughlin. “Why is Hilton Hotels siding with murderers and rapists to deliberately undermine and obstruct DHS enforcement in their campaign to enforce our nation’s immigration laws?”
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The controversy also coincides with Hilton’s public stance since 2020, when the company drew a hard line against its facilities being used in relation to immigration detention.
At the time, Hilton said it opposed any use of its hotels to detain immigrants and took steps to enforce that policy at all of its American properties.
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“Our statement from July 24, 2020 remains true. We believe hotels should be places of hospitality, and the detention of immigrants, including minors, is not an activity we support or in any way want to be associated with our hotels,” Hilton said at the time.
Fox News Digital’s Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.
