The global hospitality giant Hilton has taken the drastic step of cutting all ties with a franchise hotel in Minnesota, after it emerged the property was still enforcing a policy of refusing service to US immigration enforcement officers.
Policy Sparks Outrage and Viral Video
The Lakeville Hampton Inn in Minneapolis was ordered to remove all Hilton branding after corporate headquarters discovered its controversial ban on agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remained active. This came despite earlier assurances from the independent hotel owner that the issue had been resolved.
The situation escalated when conservative influencer Nick Sorter shared a video on Monday night. In the footage, a front desk employee explicitly told Sorter, who was posing as a DHS employee, that the hotel was "not accepting people from immigration, ICE agents, DHS, into our property." The worker stated he was unaware of any policy change, contradicting a public statement issued hours earlier by the management firm, Everpeak Hospitality, which vowed to welcome all guests.
DHS Accusations and Corporate Fallout
The incident triggered a fierce response from the US government. On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security accused the hotel of "siding with murderers and rapists" as part of what it called a "coordinated campaign" against the Trump administration's efforts to increase deportations.
Following the viral spread of the video, a Hilton corporate spokesperson announced decisive action on Tuesday. "A recent video clearly raises concerns that they are not meeting our standards and values," the spokesperson said. Hilton confirmed it was taking "immediate action to remove this hotel from our systems." The spokesperson emphasised that "Hilton is — and has always been — a welcoming place for all," and stated the company was engaging with all franchisees to reinforce its standards.
Broader Immigration Crackdown Context
The hotel controversy is set against a backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement in the region. Minneapolis has become a focal point for a federal crackdown, with plans to send 2,000 ICE agents and DHS officers to the area. This push follows reports, amplified by conservative commentators, alleging fraud within Somali communities, specifically concerning daycare centres.
Homeland Security claims that over 700 immigration-related arrests have already been made in the region. The episode highlights the challenges faced by global brands like Hilton, which operates on a franchise model, when local franchisee policies clash with corporate values and become entangled in heated national political debates.
