At the centre of the dispute is a Hampton Inn property in Lakeville, Minnesota, operating under the Hilton umbrella, and its decision to cancel bookings made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers who were being deployed to the Minneapolis area as part of a wider federal enforcement surge.
How the controversy began
The issue came into public view after DHS accused a Hilton hotel in Minnesota of cancelling reservations made by ICE agents this month.
According to DHS, the officers had booked rooms using official government email addresses and government-approved rates while preparing for duty in the state.
On Monday (January 5, 2026), DHS said the hotel cancelled those bookings despite the reservations being made through standard government channels.
The department shared screenshots on X that it said showed email correspondence from the hotel explaining why the bookings would not be honoured.
One of the messages stated, “We are not allowing ICE or any immigration agents to stay at our property.”
Another message cited online research into the identity of a guest and said, “After further investigation online, we have found information about immigration work connected with your name and we will be cancelling your upcoming reservation.”
DHS characterised the cancellations as deliberate and coordinated. In a social media post, the department said the actions were designed to obstruct immigration enforcement, alleging that the hotel’s response went beyond a routine booking issue.
“When officers attempted to book rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton Hotels maliciously CANCELLED their reservations,” DHS said, accusing the chain of deliberately interfering with law enforcement operations tied to immigration.
How DHS escalated accusations against Hilton
As the story gained traction, DHS officials sharpened their criticism of Hilton. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the department, issued a statement directly attacking the company’s motives.
“Why is 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?” McLaughlin said.
DHS also alleged that the cancellation was not an isolated incident, claiming it reflected a wider refusal to host federal agents at Hilton properties in the Minneapolis area.
The department described the move as a “coordinated campaign” to deny accommodation to ICE officers and other immigration agents.
NO ROOM AT THE INN!@HiltonHotels has launched a coordinated campaign in Minneapolis to REFUSE service to DHS law enforcement.
When officers attempted to book rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton Hotels maliciously CANCELLED their reservations.
This is… pic.twitter.com/qKMKypGtzi
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 5, 2026
The public rebuke placed Hilton squarely in the political spotlight, with the Trump administration known for publicly naming and criticising corporations it believes are acting against its policies or priorities.
How Hilton distanced itself from the franchise decision
Hilton Worldwide responded by pointing out that the Lakeville property operates as a franchise and is independently owned and managed. The company stressed that the decision to cancel the reservations did not reflect Hilton’s corporate policies or values.
A Hilton spokesperson said the brand’s hotels are intended to be inclusive spaces and that the conduct at the Minnesota property was not representative of Hilton’s standards.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
“Hilton’s position is clear: Our properties are open to everyone and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination.”
In another statement, Hilton said it was continuing discussions with the hotel and confirmed that an apology had been issued for the cancellations. The company said the hotel had taken immediate steps to resolve the situation and was reaching out to affected guests.
“They have taken immediate action to resolve this matter and are contacting impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated,” Hilton’s spokesperson said.
Hilton also reiterated that it works regularly with governments, law enforcement agencies and community leaders around the world and aims to ensure its properties remain accessible and welcoming.
In 2020, Hilton said detaining immigrants “is not activity that we support or in any way want associated with our hotels,” after reports emerged that a Texas franchise had accepted reservations from an ICE contractor.
In another high-profile case, Motel 6 agreed to pay $7.6 million to settle a class-action lawsuit after several of its locations shared guest lists with ICE agents, raising concerns about privacy and discrimination.
Last year, a Sheraton franchise operated by a third party in Louisiana faced scrutiny after it was alleged to have rented rooms to DHS personnel for the purpose of holding individuals who were in the process of being deported. The situation appeared to conflict with the brand’s broader policies.
How Everpeak Hospitality responded
The Lakeville hotel is owned and operated by Everpeak Hospitality, which also issued a statement addressing the incident.
The company acknowledged that the decision to cancel the ICE bookings was inconsistent with its internal policies and said corrective action had been taken.
“Everpeak Hospitality has moved swiftly to address this matter as it was inconsistent with our policy of being a welcoming place for all,” the company said.
“We are in touch with the impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated. We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and apologize to those impacted.”
In a separate statement posted on its website, Everpeak said the incident did not align with its commitment to hospitality and inclusivity. The company said it was working to ensure that all affected guests were provided alternative accommodations.
Despite these assurances, DHS officials disputed the timeline of the response.
McLaughlin wrote on X that DHS and ICE had not heard directly from Everpeak Hospitality at the time of her post, rejecting the suggestion that the matter had already been resolved.
While private businesses have certain rights to deny service, those decisions can carry legal, political and reputational consequences, especially when they involve government agencies.
The Trump administration has previously intervened publicly in similar disputes. Last year, an Office Depot store in Michigan drew attention after employees refused to print a poster for the late activist Charlie Kirk, calling it propaganda.
The incident prompted then-attorney general Pam Bondi to ask the Justice Department’s civil rights division to review the matter.
Office Depot later fired the employees involved and issued an apology, stating that it aims to provide services in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.
How protests and online backlash followed
Demonstrators gathered outside hotels in Minnesota and in other parts of the country where ICE agents were staying.
Protesters reportedly made noise late into the night to disrupt the sleep of agents and called on hotel operators to deny accommodation to immigration officers. The demonstrations reflected broader opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration policies and its approach to enforcement.
Online reaction was similarly divided. Google reviews for what is believed to be the Lakeville hotel location were flooded with new ratings following the DHS post.
Some reviewers criticised the hotel harshly, accusing it of being “un-American,” while others praised the property for refusing to host ICE agents.
Shares of Hilton Worldwide also fell during trading on the day the allegations became public, with losses ranging between 1.5% and 2.5% according to market reports.
What's behind the Minnesota enforcement surge
The Trump administration has recently increased DHS resources in the Minneapolis area, with reports suggesting that as many as 2,000 agents could be involved in upcoming operations.
Federal officials have portrayed Minnesota’s Somali community as a focal point for alleged fraud involving federal funds intended for social services. Authorities have pointed to claims of large-scale misuse of money linked to social programmes, including childcare services.
The administration has also moved to freeze childcare funding to Minnesota and other states following disputed allegations of mass fraud at Somali-run daycare centres. Critics argue that these actions unfairly target a specific immigrant community.
Immigrant rights advocates have accused the administration of using fraud investigations as a justification to conduct broader enforcement actions against Somali immigrants.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised the Somali-American population in Minneapolis, adding to tensions in the region.
With inputs from agencies
