Everpeak Hospitality, which owns a Hilton in Bloomington, Minnesota, recently moved with impressive speed to circumvent a potentially damaging situation. This includes bookings that were made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The hotel chain canceled these reservations after protesters rallied outside its properties, calling for hotels to refuse accommodations to ICE agents. This step is consistent with the hotel’s values on the treatment of people and organizations.
The decision comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the treatment of immigrant communities, particularly in Minnesota, where advocates have accused federal officials of unfairly targeting Somali immigrants. Everpeak Hospitality stated that the matter was inconsistent with the hotel’s policy, emphasizing its commitment to providing an inclusive environment.
In response to the news, Everpeak Hospitality shares fell 1.5% in afternoon trading. This decline reflects the market’s reaction to the ongoing protests and the hotel chain’s response.
Protesters have engaged in disruptive demonstrations late into the night, aiming to disturb the sleep of ICE agents staying at various hotels across Minnesota and other locations nationwide. Their mission is to shine a spotlight on unfair government practices. These practices disproportionately impact marginalized and vulnerable immigrant populations and they want you to know about it.
In a response, Everpeak Hospitality doubled down on its discrimination, claiming that it discriminates against no person or agency.
“We are in touch with the impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated. We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and apologize to those impacted,” – Everpeak Hospitality.
The protests have continued to escalate after claims made by federal authorities that Minnesota’s Somali community was a center of fraudulent activity. All of these allegations misappropriate millions of federal dollars intended for social services. Immigrant-rights advocates are understandably outraged over the threat this poses to local communities.
Under pressure, Hilton—operating through its wholly owned subsidiary of Everpeak Hospitality—has made this whole situation right. Finally, they stated their dedication to maintaining all locations welcoming and accessible to each traveler.
“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,” – Hilton spokesperson.
That is changing and things are moving very quickly. We are eager to see what both the hotel chain and the protestors do next. The protests reflect a growing movement against ICE operations within local communities, highlighting the ongoing debate over immigration policies in the United States.