A Minnesota hotel has come under fire after it canceled reservations made by federal immigration agents, leading to accusations from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of a coordinated refusal to accommodate law enforcement. The Hampton Inn Lakeville, affiliated with the Hilton brand, issued an apology stating the actions taken by their team did not align with company policies.
The controversy erupted when a government email revealed that the hotel had denied service to immigration agents, leading DHS to accuse Hilton of hindering immigration enforcement operations. In response to the backlash, Hilton representatives clarified that most Hampton Inn locations operate independently and that the cancellation was uncharacteristic of their commitment to inclusivity.
"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," DHS noted after the incident.
Everpeak Hospitality, the management company for the hotel, stated they were working swiftly to address the situation. They reiterated their policy of welcoming all and assured that accommodations would be made for the impacted guests. This incident serves as a reminder of the tensions between local business practices and federal law enforcement engagements in communities.
