A Minneapolis-area hotel has removed its Hilton branding after allegedly refusing service to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The Lakeville property, previously a Hilton-branded Hampton Inn, came under fire after a video surfaced appearing to show hotel staff denying accommodations to ICE and other Department of Homeland Security personnel. In response, Hilton took the unusual step of stripping the hotel of its name.
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Footage from Thursday shows a crane removing the Hilton signage from the building, while the hotel itself remains open under independent management. Hilton confirmed the removal was due to the property failing to adhere to corporate policies, emphasizing that the behavior did not reflect the company’s standards of inclusivity and non-discrimination. The Lakeville hotel is independently owned, but Hilton said it would no longer be affiliated with the brand.
The controversy erupted when DHS released emails showing that the hotel allegedly canceled reservations for federal agents. While hotel management initially apologized, citing miscommunication, video evidence suggested that ICE personnel were still being turned away, escalating the situation and attracting national attention. The incident has sparked debate over corporate responsibility and treatment of law enforcement personnel.
The General Services Administration also intervened, removing the hotel from all federal lodging programs. This action prevents the property from hosting government employees or law enforcement officers through federal contracts. The GSA cited violations of program requirements, underscoring its support for federal law enforcement and signaling that properties refusing service to officers could face consequences.
The incident has added fuel to ongoing discussions about federal law enforcement operations in the Twin Cities and public attitudes toward ICE. While Hilton reiterated that its properties remain open to all guests, the Lakeville hotel now faces an uncertain future without the corporate branding, serving as a high-profile example of the tension between independent operators and federal obligations.
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