Hilton removed a Minneapolis-area Hampton Inn from its booking system after hotel staff canceled ICE reservations made with official government emails and rates on Jan. 2. The company, which said the property is independently owned and operated, acted after a follow-up video raised additional concerns. DHS welcomed Hilton's move and warned that discriminatory practices against federal law enforcement have consequences. The hotel's manager apologized and said affected guests were being accommodated.
Hilton Removes Minneapolis Hampton Inn From Booking System After Hotel Cancels ICE Reservations
FILE PHOTO: The logo of Hilton hotels group is pictured in central Brussels, Belgium August 4, 2017. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/File Photo
Hilton Worldwide Holdings said Tuesday it has removed a Minneapolis-area Hampton Inn from its booking system after the property refused reservations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted on X that a staff member at the Hampton Inn in Lakeview, Minnesota, canceled ICE reservations made on Jan. 2 using official government email addresses and government rates. DHS shared a hotel email that read, "We are not allowing any ICE or immigrant agents to stay at our property."
Hilton said the franchise is independently owned and operated and that it is "taking immediate action to remove this hotel from our systems." The company added it "is — and has always been — a welcoming place for all." A follow-up video posted on X prompted Hilton to say the footage "clearly raises concerns that they are not meeting our standards and values."
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin: "Discriminatory business practices targeting DHS and deliberately undermining federal law enforcement are unAmerican and have real business consequences."
Everpeak Hospitality, the management company for the franchise, said it had contacted affected guests to ensure they were accommodated and apologized, stating, "We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies." DHS said it had not yet heard directly from Everpeak regarding the later video.
Hilton's move followed mixed online reactions — calls for boycotts from some users and support from others — and comes after other companies, including Cracker Barrel, distanced themselves from actions criticized by the Trump administration and its supporters. Shares of Hilton's parent company rose 2.09% in Tuesday afternoon trading after the stock had fallen 2.46% at Monday's close.
What Happens Next: Hilton's removal of the property from its system is an immediate corporate response; any further action will likely depend on the outcome of local inquiries and additional verification of the on-site handling of reservations.
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