Quick summary

Timeline: key dates and what each party said

What the reported emails said (and what’s still unclear)

The controversy accelerated after DHS shared screenshots of emails that, according to reporting, told federal personnel that the property would
cancel reservations tied to DHS/ICE.

Key phrasing repeatedly cited in reports

Multiple outlets quote a line from the email stating the hotel was “not allowing” ICE or immigration agents to stay at the property (wording varies slightly by outlet).

What remains uncertain

• Who wrote the email: ABC News notes the screenshots had not been independently verified and the sender’s name was redacted, making authorship unclear from the public images alone.
• Whether the email reflected company policy or a local decision: Hilton and the operator statements described it as inconsistent with brand standards and their stated values.

Hilton’s response: removing the hotel from its systems

Reuters reported Hilton said it was taking immediate action to remove the Lakeville Hampton Inn from its systems after additional video appeared to show continued refusal even after an initial apology cycle. KSTP also reported Hilton’s move, describing the property as an independent franchisee that was being removed from Hilton’s system.

Business Insider similarly reported Hilton’s position that the hotel was independently owned and operated, and that the reported actions were not reflective of Hilton’s values.

GSA’s action: removal from FedRooms and other lodging programs

In an official release, GSA said it terminated the property’s participation in government lodging programs effective immediately after confirming the
cancellation of reservations made by ICE agents and other DHS personnel.

Programs named by GSA

• FedRooms (federal transient lodging program at or below per diem)
• Emergency Lodging Services
• Long Term Lodging

GSA also stated that participation requires approved hotels to honor reservations from federal agencies without exception and that denial based on agency affiliation is not aligned with program standards.

Hilton/Hampton signage removed: what was reported

Separately from the reservation dispute itself, Fox News Digital reported that photos emerged showing a crane removing the Hampton Inn by Hilton sign
at the Lakeville property after Hilton said it was stripping the hotel of branding.⁴

If you publish images in your article: use properly licensed photos or embed social posts with permission. Avoid re-uploading copyrighted images without rights.

Why this matters for hotels, franchises, and government travel

1) Brand standards vs. local decisions

This story is a textbook example of how quickly a franchise property’s local actions can become a brand-level crisis. Even when a hotel is independently operated,
the public often associates the experience with the parent brand name on the building and reservation confirmation.

2) Government travel compliance is not optional once you opt in

GSA’s statement is especially relevant for hoteliers: if you participate in federal lodging programs, the obligations are concrete, and the consequences can be immediate.

3) Viral video + screenshots can accelerate enforcement and reputational fallout

Reuters and local reporting describe how online amplification (screenshots, then video) drove rapid responses from both the brand and federal agencies.²⁵

FAQ

Did the Lakeville Hampton Inn refuse ICE reservations?

DHS said reservations made by ICE and other DHS personnel were canceled and shared screenshots of emails reflecting that position. Multiple outlets reported those screenshots and statements, while also noting limits on independent verification of the email images as published.

Did Hilton own the hotel?

Reporting quotes Hilton saying the property was independently owned and operated (franchised), and that the actions described were not reflective of Hilton values.

What action did Hilton take?

Hilton said it was removing the property from its systems; Reuters and local reporting describe this as Hilton separating from the property after the controversy escalated.

What action did the federal government take?

GSA announced the property was removed from government lodging programs and booking tools (including FedRooms), effective immediately.

Is the Hilton sign really being removed?

Fox News Digital reported photos showing Hampton Inn by Hilton signage removed by crane at the Lakeville property after Hilton’s separation from the hotel.⁴