DAILY CALLER NEWS FOUNDATION—One of the largest hotel chains in the United States is purportedly refusing service to immigration agents amid a growing crackdown in the Minneapolis region.
A hotel associated with Hilton Hotels & Resorts is explicitly refusing service to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents attempting to book reservations in Minneapolis, according to a company email released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The apparent anti-ICE policy follows increased federal law enforcement activity in the city, which is reeling from immigrant-related fraud.
“We have noticed an influx of GOV reservations made today that have been for DHS, and we are not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property,” a Hilton email stated to an unidentified DHS employee. “If you are with DHS or immigration, let us know as we will have to cancel your reservation.”
Hilton allegedly followed up on this email with another message roughly two hours later:
“After further investigation online, we have found information about immigration work connected with your name and we will be cancelling your reservation,” Hilton stated in the email.
A spokesperson for Hilton distanced the company from the accusation, noting that the location in question is independently owned and operated and that Hilton works with federal law enforcement.
“Hilton hotels serve as welcoming places for all. This hotel is independently owned and operated, and the actions referenced are not reflective of Hilton values,” a spokesperson told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
“We are investigating this matter with this individual hotel, and can confirm that Hilton works with governments, law enforcement and community leaders around the world to ensure our properties are open and inviting to everyone,” the spokesperson continued.
Minneapolis has been subject to national scrutiny ever since reporting in late 2025 revealed that millions of dollars in taxpayer money had been stolen through an orchestrated scheme of bogus non-profit groups, largely involving Somali nationals.
The prevalence of Somali-related fraud in the city was further realized after an independent journalist allegedly uncovered a string of bogus daycare centers raking in state funding.
Democrat Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who partnered with former Vice President Kamala Harris during her failed presidential run, announced on Monday he would no longer be seeking a third term in office, citing the growing fraud scandal involving his state.
“For the last several years, an organized group of criminals have sought to take advantage of our state’s generosity. And even as we make progress in the fight against the fraudsters, we now see an organized group of political actors seeking to take advantage of the crisis,” Walz announced, casting blame on President Donald Trump for the political firestorm.
DHS is reportedly preparing to deploy hundreds of immigration agents to the Twin Cities region amid the widening fraud scandal, according to multiple news outlets. The deployment could involve as many as 2,000 ICE agents.
Editor’s note: this article was updated to include a statement from Hilton Hotels
