MN Hilton Franchise Hampton Inn Still Refuses DHS Agents After Apology – Parent Company Cuts Ties
Hilton Hotels announced Tuesday that it will “remove” a Minnesota “franchise hotel” from our system after it was again caught denying rooms to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents investigating local fraud.
This is the result of an undercover video from citizen journalist Nick Sorter.
On Monday, DHS released a copy of an email from a Hampton Inn in Minneapolis denying accommodation to agents. “We have noticed an influx of GOV reservations,” the email states, “and we are not allowing any ICE or immigration officers to remain on our property.”
After the story went viral, the Hilton Mothership released a statement saying that the Minneapolis Hampton Inn is “independently owned.”
Hilton hotels are welcoming places for everyone. This hotel is independently owned and operated, and shares referenced do not reflect Hilton values. We are investigating this matter with this individual hotel and can confirm that Hilton is working with governments, law enforcement and community leaders around the world to ensure our properties are open and welcoming to all.
Afterwards, the independent hotel apologized and said it would reverse its policy:
Everpeak Hospitality acted quickly to resolve this issue as it was not in line with our policy of being a welcoming place for all. We are in contact with affected travelers to ensure they are accommodated. We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and we apologize to those affected. We are committed to welcoming all guests and operating in accordance with brand standards, applicable laws and our role as a professional hospitality provider.
A few hours later, this is what happened:
The video clearly shows that the hotel did not reverse its policy, the hotel lied about reversing its policy. The Hilton Mothership responded quickly and announced that “we are taking immediate action to remove this hotel from our systems.”
Call it the Bud Light effect, the Charlie Kirk effect, or the Cracker Barrel effect. The political right has had enough of this hatred and prejudice, and our godforsaken days of hiding behind the false principles of “free enterprise” and “free speech” are over. And I know this because I was once one of those people.
The Hilton Mothership was savvy enough to understand how quickly this could devastate its brand, its stock price, and its business in general. So they acted quickly to make the right decision.
It’s a whole new world. The political right is radicalized and American businesses know it.
I’m also sure Hilton didn’t want any heat from the Trump administration.
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