Hilton hotels cancel ICE agent reservations in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security accused a Hilton-branded hotel in the Minneapolis area of canceling reservations for federal immigration agents, prompting public criticism from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The controversy centers on the Hampton Inn by Hilton Lakeville Minneapolis, where emails allegedly shared by DHS show staff informing DHS personnel that the property would not accommodate ICE or other immigration agents.

One email reportedly stated: "We have noticed an influx of GOV reservations made today that have been for DHS, and we are not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property. If you are with DHS or immigration, let us know as we will have to cancel your reservation."

A follow-up message added that after online research, staff had identified connections to immigration work and would cancel upcoming bookings.

DHS described the actions as a "coordinated campaign" to refuse service to its law enforcement personnel. In a statement, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called the cancellations "UNACCEPTABLE," questioning why the hotel chain would "side with murderers and rapists to deliberately undermine and impede DHS law enforcement from their mission to enforce our nation’s immigration laws."

The official ICE account on X posted screenshots of the emails and asked: "Hey @HiltonHotels — why did your team in Minneapolis cancel our federal law enforcement officer and agents' reservations?"

The incident coincides with a large-scale federal deployment in Minnesota, where the Trump administration has sent hundreds of agents — potentially up to 2,000 from ICE's deportation operations and Homeland Security Investigations — as part of an expanded crackdown linked to a widening fraud scandal involving allegations against some Somali nationals.

Hilton did not immediately respond to requests for comment in initial reports. Some accounts indicate the decision may stem from a franchisee-operated property rather than corporate policy, though no official clarification was available as of January 5, 2026.

 

The episode has sparked calls for boycotts of Hilton properties from some conservative commentators on social media, while others noted that private businesses generally have the right to refuse service under certain conditions. Shares of Hilton Worldwide Holdings fell in afternoon trading following the news.

--REAL AMERICA'S VOICE

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