Hampton Inn, Lakeville, MN.
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hilton hotel On Tuesday, the company announced it was cutting ties with a franchised hotel in the Minneapolis area after a new video showed a receptionist there refusing to book a room for someone claiming to be a Department of Homeland Security employee.
Hilton’s statement came a day after Everpeak Hospitality, which owns the property, apologized for canceling advance reservations for real DHS workers because of immigration work, saying such a ban was inconsistent with the company’s policy of being “a welcoming place for all.”
“The independent hotel owner has assured us that they have resolved this issue and has published a message confirming this,” Hilton said in a statement on social media site X on Tuesday. This statement was also sent to CNBC by a spokesperson.
“Recent videos clearly raise concerns that they do not live up to our standards and values,” Hilton said. “As such, we are taking immediate steps to remove this hotel from our systems.”
“Hilton is, and always will be, a place where all are welcome,” the statement said. “We are also working with all of our franchisees to strengthen the standards we hold for franchisees across our system to ensure this never happens again.”
The Hilton Hotel logo can be seen on one of the hotels.
John Rampart Ski Light Rocket | Getty Images
The statement came hours after conservative independent journalist Nick Souter tweeted a video of him visiting the Hampton Inn by Hilton Lakeview Minneapolis on Monday night, hours after Everpeak issued its apology, and attempting to book 10 rooms where Souter claimed to be a DHS employee.
“As such, we do not have immigration, ICE, or DHS people on our premises,” the clerk said. “It’s just our control, our ownership.”
When Souter said he thought the policy had changed “today” (Monday), the clerk replied, “I just spoke with the building owner and they haven’t told me there has been a change.”
“Yes, that’s just policy,” the clerk said.
The clerk also said, “This is my first time here,” reiterated that she had not been informed of the policy change, and offered to speak with the owner.
When the clerk came back, she said it was late and she couldn’t contact anyone.
Immigration, Customs and Enforcement agents question a man’s identity on Lake Street near a Somali shopping mall called Carmel Mall in the US state of Minnesota on December 10, 2025.
Christopher Yun | Anadolu | Getty Images
Souter posted the video to X on Tuesday morning.
“Breaking News Exclusive: I went to a Hilton in Minnesota where they “apologized” for banning DHS workers and revealed they continue to ban DHS workers,” Souter wrote.
“Hilton, revoke their license or it will cost you dearly. You have been warned. This is an incredibly stupid battle to pick!” Souter wrote.
CNBC tried to reach someone at the Hampton Inn Lakeview Minneapolis Tuesday morning, but no one answered the phone.
Most of the more than 9,000 properties affiliated with Hilton and its brands are operated by franchisees.
Minneapolis has been the target of criticism from the Trump administration, which has accused the Somali community there of a series of irregularities with federal programs.
President Donald Trump said in early December that Minnesota is “in hell right now. The Somalis have to get out of here. They destroyed our country, and all they do is complain, complain, complain.”
“Homeland Security Investigations @ICEGov is currently conducting a major investigation into child care and other rampant fraud on the ground in Minneapolis. There will be more to come,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem tweeted on Dec. 29.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Monday dropped his plans to seek a third term, citing a fraud investigation and the Trump administration’s focus on immigration in the state.
“Every minute I spend protecting my own political interests cannot be spent protecting Minnesotans from the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who prey on our differences,” said Walz, who was a 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate.
DHS, in a statement on its official Government
“There are no rooms at the inn!” the Department of Homeland Security said at the time. “Hilton Hotels has launched a coordinated campaign to deny service to DHS law enforcement in Minneapolis.”
“When the employee attempted to book a room using official government emails and rates, the Hilton hotel maliciously canceled the reservation,” DHS said. “This is unacceptable. Why would Hilton Hotels side with murderers and rapists and intentionally undermine and obstruct DHS law enforcement’s mission to enforce our nation’s immigration laws?”
DHS’s tweet included a screenshot of the email from the hotel.
“Today, we have noticed an influx of government bookings for DHS purposes. We are not allowing ICE or immigration agents to be on our property,” the message reads. “If you work for DHS or Immigration Services, please let us know because we need to cancel your appointment.”
“This hotel is independently owned and operated and these actions do not reflect Hilton’s values,” Hilton Hotels said in a Monday response to DHS’s tweet.
“We have been in direct contact with the hotel, and the hotel has apologized for the team’s actions that were contrary to policy. The hotel has taken immediate action to resolve this issue and is contacting affected guests to ensure accommodation. Hilton’s position is clear: Our hotel is open to all and we do not tolerate discrimination in any form,” the statement read.
Everpeak Hospitality, which operates the Hampton Inn Lakeview Minneapolis, said in a statement Monday that “Everpeak Hospitality moved quickly to address this issue because it violates our policy of being a welcoming place for all.”
Everpeak said in a statement: “We are reaching out to the affected guests to ensure that we are accommodating them. We do not discriminate against any individual or agency, and we apologize to the affected guests.” “We are committed to welcoming all guests and operating in accordance with our brand standards, applicable laws and our role as a professional hospitality provider.”
