Hilton Responds After ICE Agents' Reservations Canceled

The Department of Homeland Security issued a public statement regarding a Hampton Inn in Minnesota that canceled reservations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The hotel, located in Lakeville, reportedly communicated via a screenshot that it was 'not allowing any ICE or immigration agents' to stay at the property.

Hilton responded to the incident by clarifying that the specific hotel is independently owned and operated. The corporation stated that the actions taken by the hotel staff were not reflective of Hilton values. Everpeak Hospitality, the owner of the Lakeville property, issued a statement apologizing for the incident, describing it as inconsistent with their policy of being a welcoming place for all.

While the Department of Homeland Security singled out Hilton in their public comments, the ownership structure of the hotel chain involves significant franchising. Most Hilton-branded properties are not directly owned by the corporation but operate under independent ownership or third-party management agreements.

The Department of Homeland Security utilized the social media platform X to highlight a dispute involving a hotel reservation in Minnesota. The department shared a screenshot dated Tuesday showing communication from a Hampton Inn located in Lakeville, which is situated south of Minneapolis.

The screenshot provided by the department contained specific language regarding the rejection of federal agents. It stated, 'If you are with DHS or immigration, let us know as we will have to cancel your reservation.' Furthermore, the message explicitly noted that the property was 'not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property.'

The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment regarding the incident. The public call-out placed pressure on the hotel chain to address the actions of the specific franchise location.

Hilton moved quickly to distance the corporation from the actions of the Lakeville hotel. In a statement, the company emphasized that the hotel is independently owned and operated. 'These actions were not reflective of Hilton values,' the statement read. The corporation also asserted its stance on inclusivity, stating, 'Our properties are open to everyone and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination.'

The parent company noted that they had been in direct contact with the hotel regarding the matter. According to Hilton, the hotel apologized for the actions of its team, acknowledging that the behavior was not in keeping with their policies. The hotel reportedly took immediate action to resolve the situation and began contacting impacted guests to ensure they were accommodated.

Everpeak Hospitality, the entity owning the specific Hampton Inn, released its own statement. They described the cancellation of reservations as 'inconsistent with our policy of being a welcoming place for all.' The owner confirmed they were in touch with the impacted guests and apologized to those affected, stating, 'We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies.'

The incident highlights the complex ownership structure of major hotel chains. Hilton is a publicly traded company owned by its shareholders. According to the company's 2025 proxy statement, the largest known shareholders are The Vanguard Group and BlackRock, owning 10.6% and 8.5% of its common stock, respectively.

Despite the brand recognition, Hilton does not own or operate the majority of its branded hotels. Instead, the company operates largely on a franchise model. This means that most hotels bearing the Hilton name are owned and operated independently by franchisees.

Alternatively, some properties are owned by a third party but operated by Hilton. This distinction is crucial in incidents involving individual hotel policies, as the day-to-day management and guest relations decisions are typically made by the independent ownership or management teams rather than the corporate headquarters.