In a startling development that blurs the lines between hospitality and enforcement, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been systematically detaining migrants in Marriott hotel properties across the United States. The practice, conducted under a clandestine multi-million dollar contract, represents a significant shift in immigration enforcement tactics under the Biden administration.
The Shadow Operation Unveiled
An exclusive Guardian investigation has uncovered that ICE has entered into a lucrative $32.5 million arrangement with hospitality giant Marriott International. This contract facilitates the use of hotel rooms as makeshift detention facilities for asylum seekers and migrants awaiting immigration proceedings. The operation, which began discreetly in 2022, has seen hundreds of individuals held in confined conditions without proper legal recourse.
From Hospitality to Holding Cells
The transformation of hotel rooms into de facto detention centres raises serious humanitarian and legal concerns. Unlike official ICE facilities, these hotel rooms lack adequate medical facilities, legal resources, and appropriate oversight mechanisms. Detainees report being confined to their rooms for extended periods with limited access to fresh air or proper exercise facilities.
Key findings from the investigation reveal:
- Marriott properties in at least seven states are involved in the programme
- Detainees include vulnerable populations such as families with young children
- Limited access to legal counsel and medical services
- Minimal public oversight or transparency regarding conditions
Corporate Complicity and Public Backlash
Marriott International, which proudly promotes its commitment to human rights and social responsibility, now faces mounting criticism for its involvement in the controversial programme. Immigration advocates and human rights organisations have condemned the hotel chain's participation, organising protests and boycott campaigns at various Marriott locations.
The company's defence centres on contractual obligations and the premise that they are providing "humane alternatives" to traditional detention centres. However, critics argue that profiting from immigration detention fundamentally contradicts Marriott's publicly stated values and ethical commitments.
Legal Challenges Mount
The secretive nature of these hotel detentions has prompted several legal challenges. Civil rights organisations have filed multiple lawsuits arguing that the practice violates detainees' constitutional rights to due process and adequate legal representation. The lack of public information about these facilities makes proper oversight and accountability nearly impossible.
Administration's Deflection Strategy
The Biden administration, which promised a more humane approach to immigration, has defended the programme as a necessary alternative to overcrowded detention facilities. Officials claim hotel detentions provide more comfortable conditions while ensuring compliance with immigration proceedings. However, immigration advocates counter that any form of detention without proper safeguards remains fundamentally problematic.
Broader Implications for Immigration Policy
This revelation comes amid ongoing debates about US immigration policy and enforcement methods. The use of private hotels as detention facilities represents a concerning trend toward the privatisation and normalisation of immigration detention, potentially making it less visible to public scrutiny while expanding its reach into everyday spaces.
As legal challenges progress and public awareness grows, the future of this controversial programme remains uncertain. What is clear is that the intersection of corporate hospitality and immigration enforcement has created a new frontier in the ongoing debate about how nations manage migration and treat those seeking refuge within their borders.
