Additional Coverage:
- DHS said ICE agents’ Hilton reservations were canceled at an independently owned Hampton Inn (businessinsider.com)
Local Hotel Under Fire After Alleged ICE Agent Reservation Cancellation
LAKEVILLE, MN – A Hampton Inn in Lakeville, south of Minneapolis, has found itself in the spotlight after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleged the hotel canceled reservations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The incident, which unfolded earlier this week, has drawn a swift response from Hilton, the parent company, and the hotel’s independent owner.
The controversy ignited when DHS shared a screenshot on Monday, purporting to show a message from the Hampton Inn stating it was “not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property.” The message reportedly continued, “If you are with DHS or immigration, let us know as we will have to cancel your reservation.”
Hilton quickly distanced itself from the actions, emphasizing that the Lakeville Hampton Inn is independently owned and operated. In a statement, the company expressed regret over the incident, saying, “This hotel is independently owned and operated, and these actions were not reflective of Hilton values.” Hilton added that it had been in direct contact with the hotel, which has since apologized for its team’s actions, noting they were “not in keeping with their policies.”
“Hilton’s position is clear: Our properties are open to everyone and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination,” the statement concluded.
Everpeak Hospitality, the owner of the Lakeville Hampton Inn, issued its own statement on Tuesday, acknowledging the incident was “inconsistent with our policy of being a welcoming place for all.” The company further stated, “We are in touch with the impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated. We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and apologize to those impacted.”
DHS has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the matter.
Understanding Hotel Ownership:
The incident also highlights a common business model within the hospitality industry. While Hilton is a global brand, it, like many other large hotel chains, does not directly own most of its branded properties.
Instead, the majority of Hilton-branded hotels are franchised, meaning they are independently owned and operated by third parties, or owned by a third party and managed by Hilton. According to the company’s 2025 proxy statement, major shareholders like Vanguard and BlackRock hold significant stakes in Hilton’s common stock.