Hilton Hotels said it was investigating an independent business Minneapolis area property after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleged law enforcement officers were denied service, a dispute that has renewed scrutiny of the company’s longstanding 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, informing people connected to DHS reservations that the property would not allow ICE or other immigration agents to stay.
A Hilton spokesperson told FOX Business the company is investigating the incident and said the actions described do not reflect Hilton’s values.
“Hilton hotels are welcoming places for all. This hotel is independently owned and operated, and the actions mentioned 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 welcoming to all.”
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The Hampton Inn by Hilton in Lakeville, Minnesota, where ICE says agents’ reservations were canceled, sparking a Hilton investigation. (Google Maps/Google Maps)
The spokesperson later contacted FOX Business to reiterate that the Hampton Inn is independently owned and operated and that its actions do not reflect Hilton’s values.
“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 issue. Hilton’s position is clear: our properties are open to everyone and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination.”
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 acted quickly to resolve 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 individuals or agencies and we apologize to those affected.”
The Hampton Inn came under scrutiny after ICE said reservations made by its agents were canceled. inviting ICE and DHS to publicly question the hotel’s actions.
ICE shared an email chain on
ICE also released screenshots of the emails.
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ICE and DHS alleged that law enforcement officers were refused service at the Hampton Inn by Hilton in Lakeville, Minnesota. (Joshua Lott/The Washington Post/Getty Images)
“Upon further investigation online, we have found information about immigration work related to your name and will be canceling your next reservation,” reads an email from a Hilton email address. “You should soon see a proper cancellation email in your inbox from Hilton.”
In another email shared on X, the hotel addressed reservations made at the Hampton Inn Lakeville property.
“We have noticed an influx of GOV reservations made today for DHS, and we are not allowing any ICE or immigration officers to stay at our property,” the email states. “If you are from 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 officers to house on our property,” the email continues.
Deputy Secretary of DHS Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital in a statement: “Hilton launched a coordinated campaign in Minneapolis to DENY service to DHS law enforcement. When agents attempted to reserve rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton hotels maliciously CANCELED their reservations.”
“This is UNACCEPTABLE,” McLaughlin said. “Why are Hilton Hotels siding with murderers and rapists to deliberately undermine and prevent DHS law enforcement from fulfilling their mission to enforce our nation’s immigration laws? »
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The dispute also echoes Hilton’s public stance from 2020, when the company took a hard line against the use of its properties in immigration detention.
At the time, Hilton said it opposed any use of its hotels to detain migrants and had taken steps to strengthen the policy at its U.S. properties.
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“Our July 24, 2020 statement remains true. We believe hotels should be places of hospitality, and the detention of migrants, including minors, is not an activity we support or wish to associate in any way with our hotels,” Hilton said at the time.
Ashley Carnahan of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.