The operator of a Hilton-branded hotel in Minnesota has apologized after the Department of Homeland Security claimed reservations for immigration agents carrying out an enforcement blitz in the Twin Cities area were canceled.
Everpeak Hospitality, the company overseeing the hotel, apologized about the cancellation in a statement and wrote that it had contacted the agents to “ensure they are accommodated.”
“We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and apologize to those impacted,” the company said. “We are committed to welcoming all guests and operating in accordance with brand standards, applicable laws, and our role as a professional hospitality provider.”
Hilton Hotels and Resorts told NOTUS earlier on Monday that it was investigating an independently owned hotel under its brand in Minnesota after DHS posted the now-viral complaint on social media.
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The department, which on Sunday launched a 30-day operational surge in Minneapolis, posted screenshots of emails citing immigration operations as the reason for the canceled reservations at a hotel outside the city.
“When officers attempted to book rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton Hotels maliciously CANCELLED their reservations,” the agency posted.
“We are not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property,” one of the screenshots states.
The images block out the senders’ names but include Hilton email addresses, identifying the property in question as a Hampton Inn in Lakeville, Minnesota, just south of Minneapolis.
A Hilton spokesperson told NOTUS that the Minnesota hotel is independently owned and operated, and the actions don’t reflect the company’s values.
“This hotel is independently owned and operated, and these actions were not reflective of Hilton values,” the spokesperson wrote in a statement. “We have been in direct contact with the hotel, and they have apologized for the actions of their team, which was not in keeping with their policies. They have taken immediate action to resolve this matter and are contacting impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated. Hilton’s position is clear: Our properties are open to everyone and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination.”
CBS News reported that the crackdown in Minneapolis would bring around 2,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents with its deportation branch and Homeland Security Investigations to the city.
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