Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaks during a press conference at a federal office building in Bradenton, Florida, Oct. 20, 2025. (DHS photo by Tia Dufour)
(Minneapolis, Minnesota) – The Department of Homeland Security says Hilton Hotels properties in the Minneapolis area refused lodging to federal immigration officers, canceling reservations made with official government emails and rates – an allegation that has triggered sharp backlash online.
In a post on X, The Department of Homeland Security wrote, “NO ROOM AT THE INN!” and accused Hilton of launching a “coordinated campaign” to deny service to DHS law enforcement. The agency said officers’ reservations were canceled after hotels identified the bookings as connected to DHS or immigration work.
Screenshots circulating online appear to show internal hotel emails referencing a decision not to house ICE or immigration agents at a specific property, with one message stating that reservations would be canceled if guests were affiliated with DHS or immigration enforcement. The emails also cite an “influx of GOV reservations” and instruct recipients to pass along the policy to coworkers.
DHS criticized the alleged refusals as “unacceptable,” arguing that denying lodging to federal officers undermines immigration enforcement. The agency’s post questioned Hilton’s motives and accused the company of impeding law enforcement operations.
Hilton has not publicly responded to DHS’s claims as of publication, and no formal statement has been issued clarifying whether any refusal to house federal agents is company policy, franchise-level discretion, or a misunderstanding related to booking procedures. Many Hilton-branded hotels are franchised and operated by independent owners, which can lead to variation in local practices.
The dispute has fueled a broader online debate over the role of private businesses in immigration enforcement, with critics of DHS praising hotel discretion and supporters of enforcement accusing corporations of politicizing public safety.
Neither DHS nor Hilton has indicated whether legal action or formal complaints are being pursued.
