The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused Hilton Hotels of canceling and refusing lodging to federal law enforcement officers, asserting that the hotel chain denied service to agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other DHS personnel in the Minneapolis area.
In a post on the federal agency’s official X account titled “No room at the inn!”, DHS said that several reservations made by agents using official government email addresses and government room rates were abruptly canceled by Hilton staff. According to DHS, one message from a Hilton-branded property near Minneapolis stated the hotel would “not allow any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property,” prompting the cancellations.
“This is UNACCEPTABLE,” DHS wrote on X. “Why is Hilton Hotels siding with murderers and rapists to deliberately undermine and impede DHS law enforcement from their mission to enforce our nation’s immigration laws?”
The allegation has sparked immediate controversy online and in political circles. Supporters of stricter immigration enforcement have criticized Hilton for what they describe as a partisan refusal to accommodate law enforcement officials carrying out federal duties. Some social media users and commentators have called for boycotts of the hotel chain in response to the reported actions.
Shares of Hilton Hotels (NYSE: HLT) reportedly fell during afternoon trading amid the unfolding controversy, as investors reacted to the potential reputational and operational fallout.
Hilton issued a statement late Monday saying the hotel at the center of the controversy was independently owned and operated “and these actions were not reflective of Hilton values.”
In a separate statement, hotel owner Everpeak Hospitality said what happened to the agents was “inconsistent” with their policies.
“We are in touch with the impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated,” the statement read, “We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and apologize to those impacted. We are committed to welcoming all guests and operating in accordance with brand standards, applicable laws, and our role as a professional hospitality provider.
Todd Starnes is an award-winning journalist, best-selling author, and host of The Todd Starnes Radio Show.
