Minneapolis Hilton Hotel Cancels Room Reservations of ICE Agents, Department of Homeland Security Requests

YOU NEED TO KNOW

• The Department of Homeland Security is accusing a Hilton hotel of canceling reservations for a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota

• “When officials attempted to book rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton Hotels maliciously canceled their reservations,” DHS alleged.

• A Hilton spokesman said the specific hotel involved in the incident is independently owned and operated

The Department of Homeland Security is accusing a Hilton hotel of canceling reservations for a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota.

On Monday, January 5, DHS alleged in a statement on X that the hotel chain “launched a coordinated campaign in Minneapolis to refuse service to DHS law enforcement.”

“When the officials tried to book rooms using emails and official government rates, the Hilton Hotels maliciously CANCELED their reservations,” the agency wrote.

“This is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Why are 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?”

DHS also shared screenshots of emails allegedly sent by hotel management to ICE agents that stated, in part, that the hotel had “noticed an influx of GOV reservations made today that were for DHS, and we are not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay on our property.”

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, a Hilton spokesperson said the specific hotel involved in the incident is independently owned and operated, and shared that “these actions did not reflect Hilton values.”

“We have been in direct contact with the hotel, and they have apologized for the actions of their team, which were not in line with their policy,” said the spokesperson. “They have taken immediate action to resolve this issue and are contacting affected guests to ensure they are accommodated. Hilton’s position is clear: Our properties are open to all and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Everpeak Hospitality, the hotel’s operator, shared in a separate statement that they “moved quickly to address this issue as it was inconsistent with our policy of being a welcoming place for all.”

“We are in contact with the affected guests to ensure they are accommodated,” the company wrote. “We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and apologize to those affected. We are committed to welcoming all guests and working within brand standards, applicable laws, and our role as a professional hospitality provider.”

The Trump administration has launched an immigration enforcement operation targeting undocumented Somali immigrants in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region, according to the New York Timeswho said she had obtained documents about the operation in December.

Tricia McLaughlin, DHS spokeswoman, told the Times in December that, “What makes someone a target of ICE is not their race or ethnicity, but the fact that they are in the country illegally.”

Read the original article on People