A hotel operating under the Hilton umbrella in Minnesota canceled room reservations made by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, according to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The agency said the bookings were made using official government email addresses and government rates, and that the reservations were later voided after the property identified the guests as immigration enforcement personnel.
DHS posted screenshots of emails it said were sent by the hotel’s operators. In one message, the operators referenced an “influx” of government reservations and indicated they were not willing to host ICE at the property. DHS described the cancellations as unacceptable and framed the episode as interference with law enforcement operations.
The dispute quickly expanded beyond a single booking issue, becoming a test of how national brands respond when a locally managed hotel makes a political or operational decision that draws national attention. It also raised questions about what information hotels use when evaluating reservations tied to government work, and what standards franchise operators are expected to follow.
Hilton Distances Itself From The Cancellation
Hilton said the property involved is independently owned and operated, emphasizing that the decision did not represent corporate policy. A company spokesperson said Hilton hotels are intended to be “welcoming places for all” and that the chain works with governments and law enforcement in many countries to keep properties accessible to everyone. Hilton said it opened a review into what happened at the Minnesota hotel.
In later statements cited by the Guardian, Hilton said it had been in direct contact with the property and that the hotel had apologized for the actions of its staff. Hilton said the operator was contacting affected guests to ensure they were accommodated, and reiterated that it does not tolerate discrimination.
The hotel’s owner, Everpeak Hospitality, also issued an apology. The company said it acted quickly once it learned about the emails and described the refusal to host the agents as inconsistent with its own standards. Everpeak said it was contacting the impacted guests to ensure they could be accommodated elsewhere and added that it does not discriminate against individuals or agencies.
Backlash And Confusion Over The Hotel’s Identity
The incident drew immediate reaction on social media and review platforms. Online ratings for a location believed to be connected to the cancellation—reported as a Hampton Inn in the Minneapolis suburbs—surged with a mix of one-star condemnations and five-star praise. Some commenters framed the cancellation as hostile to law enforcement, while others applauded the hotel for refusing to host immigration officers.
The story also produced confusion about what the property was doing after the public uproar began. The Guardian reported that a rightwing influencer visited the hotel and attempted to book rooms under a DHS government rate, and was told at the front desk that the property was not taking reservations from immigration enforcement agents—an interaction that appeared to conflict with assurances that the matter was being corrected.
Separately, the Associated Press identified the property as the Hampton Inn Lakeville, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Minneapolis, and reported that Hilton and the local operator issued statements saying the refusal violated their policies.
Wider Minnesota Enforcement Context And Market Reaction
The cancellations came amid heightened federal attention on Minnesota, where the Trump administration has deployed additional officers following allegations of fraud linked to the state’s Somali immigrant community. Federal officials have described the area as a focus for suspected misuse of public funds related to social services, while immigrant-rights advocates argue the investigations are being used to cast suspicion more broadly on Somali residents.
The episode also intersects with a wider pattern of protests and pressure campaigns aimed at where immigration officers stay. Demonstrators have rallied outside hotels in Minnesota and in other states where ICE agents are lodging, sometimes urging hotel operators to refuse bookings and attempting to disrupt agents’ overnight stays.
As the controversy spread, Hilton said it would take additional steps with its franchise network. The Guardian reported that Hilton later said it would remove the hotel from its systems and would engage with franchisees to reinforce brand standards. Market reaction was swift: reports said Hilton shares fell about 1.5% in afternoon trading after the dispute became public.
