A major controversy erupted on social media this week after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) publicly accused a Hilton hotel of refusing to house federal immigration agents near Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Allegations of a "Coordinated Campaign"
In a post on the platform X on Monday, January 5, 2026, DHS claimed that Hilton Hotels & Resorts left "NO ROOM AT THE INN" for its law enforcement personnel. The department alleged the chain engaged in a "coordinated campaign" to cancel reservations after agents tried to book rooms using official government email addresses and special federal rates.
The post included a screenshot of an alleged email from the hotel, which stated, "We have noticed an influx of [government] reservations made today that have been for DHS, and we are not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property." The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) account also shared a purported cancellation email on X.
Hotel Ownership and Swift Backlash
The incident occurred as the Trump administration was reportedly beginning to deploy thousands of federal agents to the Minneapolis area. Hilton Worldwide responded by clarifying that the specific hotel, the Hampton Inn by Hilton in Lakeville, is independently owned and operated by Everpeak Hospitality.
In a statement, Hilton emphasized that its hotels "serve as welcoming places for all," and that the actions described in the emails "are not reflective of Hilton values." The corporation confirmed it is investigating the matter with the Minneapolis-area location. Everpeak Hospitality, the operator, told media outlets the actions were "inconsistent with our policy of being a welcoming place for all."
The immediate financial impact was notable. Following the DHS post, the price of Hilton's shares fell by approximately 2%, according to a CNBC report.
Political and Social Media Fallout
The allegation triggered a significant backlash in conservative and MAGA-aligned circles online. Commenters on X called for a boycott of Hilton, with one user declaring it was "Time to Bud Light Hilton," referencing the previous consumer backlash against the beer brand. Right-wing influencer Gunther Eagleman wrote, "You all fcked up," while other users claimed to have cancelled their Hilton Honors loyalty cards.
This is not the first time hotels suspected of housing immigration agents in the Minneapolis region have faced public protests. The situation highlights the ongoing deep political divisions in the United States surrounding immigration enforcement, where businesses can quickly become flashpoints in the national debate.
