The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has expressed strong dissatisfaction after several Hilton hotel properties in the Minneapolis area refused accommodations to its officers. On Monday, it was revealed that federal immigration officers attempting to book rooms at these hotels faced unexpected cancellations once staff discovered their government affiliations.
"Hilton hotels serve as welcoming places for all. This hotel is independently owned and operated, and the actions referenced are not reflective of Hilton values." — Hilton Hotels corporate statement.
The incidents occurred at multiple locations, including the Hampton Inn Lakeville, with hotel staff sending an email on a Friday afternoon, informing a government employee that their reservation would be canceled due to their association with immigration work. The email advised that a formal cancellation notice from Hilton would follow shortly.
Further correspondence from hotel management indicated a conscious policy decision to refuse service to DHS personnel, particularly noting a surge in bookings related to DHS operations. The email stated a direct prohibition on staying at their property for anyone affiliated with DHS or immigration, asking such individuals to cancel their reservations and inform their colleagues of the new policy.
The refusal by the Hilton Hotels to serve DHS law enforcement officers prompted a swift and vehement response from the Department. Utilizing social media, the DHS condemned the actions of the hotel chain, accusing them of siding with criminals and deliberately obstructing law enforcement's mission to uphold immigration laws. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) also took to Twitter, questioning why their officers' reservations were canceled.
Hilton Hotels' corporate headquarters quickly addressed the controversy with a statement to Fox News, clarifying that the properties involved are independently owned and operated, and that their actions did not reflect Hilton's values. The company stated that it is investigating the matter with the individual hotel and affirmed Hilton's commitment to being open and inviting to all, including working with governments and law enforcement globally.
Documents associated with the incident revealed that the email correspondence was copied to an address from Everpeak Hotels, suggesting that the decision might have originated from the franchisee Everpeak Hospitality, rather than Hilton corporate.
The incident has led to significant backlash on social media, with calls for boycotts of Hilton properties and critical statements from various social media influencers, including Catturd and investigative journalist Laura Loomer, who expressed their disapproval and intentions to avoid the hotel chain in the future.
This dispute has highlighted the tension between private businesses and government agencies, raising questions about the relationship between law enforcement and the hospitality industry.
