Hilton Accused of Denying Service to DHS Officers
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has publicly accused Hilton Hotels of running a “coordinated campaign” to deny services to its law enforcement officers. This claim centers around the cancellation of hotel reservations made through official government emails in the Minneapolis area.
DHS expressed their concern on a social media platform, questioning Hilton’s actions and alleging that the hotel chain was siding with criminal elements by obstructing the enforcement of immigration laws.
According to DHS, an employee who attempted to book a room using a government email found that Hilton had maliciously canceled the reservation. Accompanying their post was a screenshot of an email from Hilton stating that due to research revealing immigration information associated with the employee, their reservation would be canceled. The email also informed that immigration officers were not permitted to stay at their property.
The incident provoked a strong response on social media, with many conservative voices calling for a boycott of Hilton. In response, Hilton Worldwide clarified that the specific Hampton Inn in Lakeville involved is independently owned and not reflective of Hilton’s overall brand values. They also mentioned an ongoing investigation into the matter.
“Hilton hotels are places where everyone is welcome. The actions described do not represent Hilton’s values,” the chain stated. They emphasized working with governments and community leaders to maintain a welcoming environment at their hotels.
This response indicates that Hilton views the situation as an isolated incident rather than part of a broader campaign, which contrasts with the allegations of multiple cancellations in the area.
Following these developments, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced that her agency is undertaking a major investigation into widespread fraud linked to childcare services in Minneapolis, a move spurred by previously reported issues.
FBI Director Kash Patel revealed that additional resources and personnel are being deployed to Minnesota to address large-scale fraud schemes. This includes efforts related to a $250 million COVID-19 fraud scandal involving misappropriation of funds intended for feeding children during the pandemic.
