Federal immigration agents showed up in Minneapolis to do their jobs.
They never expected what happened next.
And Hilton Hotels made one sickening move that has ICE agents fuming.
Hilton Hotels slams the door on federal agents
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents made reservations at a Hampton Inn by Hilton in Minneapolis using government email addresses and official rates.
Then the hotel canceled every booking.
The Department of Homeland Security posted emails showing staff at the Hampton Inn Lakeville property flat-out refusing to let ICE agents stay there.
"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," one email read.
But the hotel didn't stop there.
Staff went online and researched who was making the reservations.
"After further investigation online, we have found information about immigration work connected with your name and we will be cancelling your upcoming reservation," a follow-up email stated.
The hotel told agents to spread the word that ICE wasn't welcome.
"Please pass on this info to your coworkers that we are not allowing any immigration agents to house on our property," the email added.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin didn't hold back in her response.
"Hilton has launched a coordinated campaign in Minneapolis to REFUSE service to DHS law enforcement," McLaughlin said. "Why is Hilton Hotels siding with murderers and rapists to deliberately undermine and impede DHS law enforcement from their mission to enforce our nation's immigration laws?"
ICE posted the emails on X asking Hilton a simple question: "Why did your team in Minneapolis cancel our federal law enforcement officer and agents' reservations?"
Minneapolis is ground zero for a massive fraud investigation
The timing couldn't be worse for Hilton.
Trump just deployed roughly 2,000 federal agents to the Twin Cities as part of the largest immigration crackdown of 2026.
The operation is targeting what prosecutors are calling a multi-billion dollar fraud ring that's been looting federal programs for years.
Federal prosecutors have brought charges against more than 90 defendants since 2021, securing convictions for over 60 of them.
The criminal enterprises targeted everything from nutrition programs to housing assistance to child care subsidies.
Federal prosecutors estimate potential losses in the billions.
Homeland Security Investigations and ICE's deportation branch are conducting a 30-day surge operation across the Twin Cities.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau has surged personnel and investigative resources to Minnesota to dismantle large-scale fraud schemes.
"Fraud that steals from taxpayers and robs vulnerable children will remain a top FBI priority in Minnesota and nationwide," Patel wrote on X.
A viral video dropped December 26 from content creator Nick Shirley showing Somali-owned day care centers he claimed were stealing taxpayer money without providing any actual child care.
The video racked up millions of views after Vice President JD Vance and Elon Musk shared it.
Federal agents need somewhere to stay while they investigate billions in fraud and round up criminal illegal aliens.
Hilton just told them to find another hotel chain.
Hilton scrambled to issue a damage control statement after the controversy exploded on social media.
"Hilton hotels serve as welcoming places for all," a spokesperson said. "This hotel is independently owned and operated, and the actions referenced are not reflective of Hilton values."
That excuse falls flat when you remember Hilton issued a policy statement back in 2020 opposing hotels being used for immigration enforcement.
"Our policy has always been that hotels should not be used as detention centers or for detaining individuals," Hilton stated in September 2020. "We expect all Hilton properties to reject business that would use a hotel in this way."
That 2020 policy came after a Hilton franchise in McAllen, Texas accepted reservations to house migrants including minors.
Hilton's corporate policy aligns perfectly with what happened in Minneapolis.
ICE agents aren't asking to use hotel rooms as detention centers.
They're asking for a place to sleep while they investigate fraud and arrest criminals.
Hilton stock dropped 2% after DHS called them out publicly.
Conservatives are calling for a boycott of Hilton's entire portfolio including DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, and Hampton Inn properties.
And federal agents in Minneapolis are staying somewhere else while they do the job Hilton won't support.
Sources:
- Ashley Carnahan and Preston Mizell, "ICE blasts Hilton after emails allegedly show hotel refusing rooms to immigration agents," Fox News, January 5, 2026.
- Bill Melugin, Fox News reporter social media post, January 5, 2026.
- "2,000 federal agents deploying to Minneapolis in immigration crackdown, fraud probe," CBS News, January 5, 2026.
- "Hilton shares fall after DHS says Minneapolis hotel canceled reservation due to immigration enforcement," CNBC, January 5, 2026.
- "Statement from Hilton," Hilton Stories, July 2020.