A prominent hotel chain has taken decisive action against one of its franchise locations after it was accused of refusing accommodation to federal immigration officers. Hilton has removed its branding from the Hampton Inn in Lakeville, Minneapolis, following allegations that the property denied service to agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Accusations of a "Coordinated Campaign" Against Federal Agents
The controversy began when the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused the hotel of orchestrating a "coordinated campaign" to refuse service to ICE agents. According to reports, a message from a Hilton email address was shared by ICE on social media platform X earlier this week. The message stated the hotel was "not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property" and warned that reservations for those with DHS or immigration would be cancelled.
Initially, Hilton responded by stating the hotel was independently owned and that its actions "were not reflective of Hilton values." The chain announced on Monday, 5 January 2026, that the Lakeville location had apologised and taken immediate corrective steps.
Viral Video Contradicts Claims of Resolution
However, the situation escalated rapidly. On Tuesday 6 January 2026, conservative commentator Nick Sortor posted a video on X showing him at the hotel's front desk. When he attempted to book rooms for DHS personnel, a staff member explicitly refused, stating, "We're not accepting people from immigration, ICE agents, DHS, into our property." When Sortor suggested the policy had changed, the employee replied they had just spoken to the building owner and no changes had been made.
This video prompted a stronger reaction from Hilton. The company issued a new statement on Tuesday, saying the footage "clearly raises concerns that they are not meeting our standards and values." Hilton announced it was "taking immediate action to remove this hotel from our systems."
Brand Removal and Escalating Tensions in Minneapolis
The corporate fallout was swift and visible. On Wednesday 7 January 2026, photos shared by Alpha News showed a crane dismantling the Hampton Inn by Hilton sign at the Lakeville property. ICE celebrated the development on social media, juxtaposing the initial refusal email with the image of the sign removal under the captions "How it started" and "How it's going."
This incident occurs against a tense backdrop in Minneapolis. Reports indicate the Trump administration has focused its ongoing immigration crackdown on the city, with plans to deploy approximately 2,000 federal agents. Tensions were further inflamed on Wednesday when Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old US citizen, was fatally shot by an ICE agent in the area.
Hilton confirmed its decision to fully sever ties, stating it was engaging with all franchisees to reinforce the standards expected across its brand portfolio. The Independent has contacted both Hilton and DHS for further comment.
