A hotel in Minnesota is in the spotlight after it refused accommodations to federal immigration agents this month. The Hampton Inn Lakeville, part of the Hilton brand, denied service to agents who attempted to book rooms, which led to accusations from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding a coordinated effort to deny federal agents service.
In response to the situation, Hilton and the hotel management, Everpeak Hospitality, released statements within hours apologizing for the refusal and clarifying that it did not align with their established policies. An email sent from a Hilton address canceled the agents' reservations, stating they would not be allowed to stay at the hotel located approximately 20 miles south of Minneapolis.
DHS claimed that this cancellation was maliciously executed, accusing Hilton Hotels of intentionally obstructing law enforcement efforts related to immigration enforcement.
The Hampton Inn operates independently, with most locations being franchise-owned. A representative from Hilton stated that they were in direct contact with the hotel and confirmed the hotel management's apology for the actions taken by their team.
In a statement, Everpeak Hospitality emphasized their commitment to inclusivity. They stated, 'This cancellation was inconsistent with our policy of being a welcoming place for all. 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.' This incident has sparked a discussion about the responsibilities of hospitality services in relation to law enforcement and federal requests.
