Tricia McLaughlin of the Department of Homeland Security discusses the Minnesota government’s efforts amid fraud allegations and the citizenship audits on “Mornings with Maria.”
Hilton Hotels said it is investigating an independent property in the Minneapolis area after alleged Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement officers were denied service, a dispute that has renewed investigations into the company’s long-standing opposition to immigration-related activities at its hotels.
Emails shared on social media by DHS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) appear to show staff at the Hampton Inn by Hilton Lakeville, Minnesota, telling people associated with DHS reservations that the property would not allow ICE or other immigration agents to stay.
“Hilton hotels serve as welcoming places for all. This hotel is independently owned and operated, and the actions referenced do not reflect Hilton’s values,” the spokesperson said. “We are investigating this matter with this individual hotel and can confirm that Hilton is working with governments, law enforcement and community leaders around the world to ensure our properties are open and inviting to all.”
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The Hampton Inn by Hilton in Lakeville, Minnesota, where ICE says agents’ reservations were canceled, prompting a Hilton investigation. (Google Maps / Google Maps)
“We have been in direct contact with the hotel and they have apologized for their team’s actions, which were not in accordance with their policies,” the spokesperson said. “They have taken immediate action to resolve this matter. Hilton’s position is clear: our properties are open to all and we will not tolerate discrimination of any kind.”
The management company that runs the Hampton Inn, Everpeak Hospitality, also released 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 took swift action to address this issue as it was inconsistent with our policy of being a welcoming place for all,” Everpeak said. “We are in contact with affected guests to ensure they are accommodated. We do not discriminate against any individual or entity and 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 an email thread on
ICE also posted screenshots of the emails.
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ICE and DHS alleged law enforcement officers were denied service at the Hampton Inn by Hilton in Lakeville, Minnesota. (Joshua Lott/The Washington Post/Getty Images)
“After further research online, we have found information regarding immigration work associated with your name and we will be canceling your upcoming reservation,” said an email from a Hilton email address. “You should see a proper cancellation email from Hilton in your inbox shortly.”
In another email shared on X, the hotel addressed reservations made at the Hampton Inn Lakeville.
“We have noticed an influx of GOV reservations made today for DHS, and we are not allowing ICE or immigration agents to stay on our property,” the email said. “If you work at DHS or Immigration, please let us know as we will need to cancel your reservation.
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“Please pass this information on to your colleagues that we do not allow immigration agents to reside on our premises,” the email continued.
“This is UNACCEPTABLE,” McLaughlin said. “Why is Hilton Hotels siding with murderers and rapists to deliberately undermine and obstruct DHS law enforcement in their mission to enforce our nation’s immigration laws?”
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The dispute also reflects Hilton’s public stance from 2020, when the company took a strong line against the use of its properties in connection with immigration detention.
At the time, Hilton said it opposed any use of its hotels to detain migrants and was taking steps to strengthen that policy at its U.S. properties.
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“Our statement of July 24, 2020 remains true. We believe that hotels should be places of hospitality, and the detention of migrants, including minors, is not an activity we support or want associated in any way with our hotels,” Hilton said at the time.
