Two Downtown St. Paul Hotels Shut Down Over Safety Concerns
In a move that has raised eyebrows in the community, two hotels in downtown St. Paul have been temporarily closed due to safety concerns related to federal immigration officers.
The Hilton DoubleTree Downtown St. Paul and InterContinental Hotel have issued letters to guests informing them of the closure, starting Sunday, January 18th. The DoubleTree hotel stated that it is taking this step out of care for its staff, team members, and the surrounding community, with a top priority on guest safety and well-being.
Meanwhile, the Kellogg Boulevard hotel has also closed temporarily, citing concerns for the safety of its staff without elaborating further. The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, which owns both hotels, has been under scrutiny after it was revealed that federal immigration officers were staying at the properties.
The closure comes on the heels of a recent incident where another Hilton-owned hotel in Lakeville refused to accommodate federal immigration agents, sparking criticism from the Trump administration. This decision led to an apology from Hilton and Everpeak Hospitality, the local operator of the Hampton Inn Lakeville hotel.
As protests have been held outside the hotels, with demonstrators arguing that federal agents were being housed there, the closure has raised questions about the role of these establishments in hosting such individuals.
In a move that has raised eyebrows in the community, two hotels in downtown St. Paul have been temporarily closed due to safety concerns related to federal immigration officers.
The Hilton DoubleTree Downtown St. Paul and InterContinental Hotel have issued letters to guests informing them of the closure, starting Sunday, January 18th. The DoubleTree hotel stated that it is taking this step out of care for its staff, team members, and the surrounding community, with a top priority on guest safety and well-being.
Meanwhile, the Kellogg Boulevard hotel has also closed temporarily, citing concerns for the safety of its staff without elaborating further. The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, which owns both hotels, has been under scrutiny after it was revealed that federal immigration officers were staying at the properties.
The closure comes on the heels of a recent incident where another Hilton-owned hotel in Lakeville refused to accommodate federal immigration agents, sparking criticism from the Trump administration. This decision led to an apology from Hilton and Everpeak Hospitality, the local operator of the Hampton Inn Lakeville hotel.
As protests have been held outside the hotels, with demonstrators arguing that federal agents were being housed there, the closure has raised questions about the role of these establishments in hosting such individuals.
like what's the big deal? can't they see how this is gonna cause a scene and put people on edge? i feel bad for the hotel staff, but shouldn't they've thought of that before? and what about all the guests who are stuck now with no place to stay 
i mean, isn't it better to just communicate openly and honestly instead of shutting everything down like this?
its like, whats next? are we gonna start seein protests outside every single gov building?
"The safest thing we can do for ourselves and our loved ones is to control what happens to us." I gotta think twice before I book a hotel room in downtown St. Paul right now 
. It's just not worth the risk, especially if they're taking care of their staff and community that much 
. Can't blame 'em for wanting to prioritize safety above all else 
.
. seriously though, i feel bad for the staff and community but at the same time, who wants to stay in a place with feds snooping around? 
anyway, maybe they should just put up a 'no selfie zone' sign and make it a tourist attraction 
The fact that federal immigration officers were being housed there without public knowledge is unsettling, but what about other guests or staff members who might be affected by their presence? It feels like we're just treating the symptoms instead of looking at the bigger picture 
. What's the best way to balance guest safety with the need for transparency & accountability in this situation? 
. Who needs a hotel when you've got a good ol' fashioned tent and some camping gear? These fancy-schmancy hotels are just a waste of resources anyway. And let's be real, who really cares about the safety concerns? It's not like those federal agents are gonna hurt anyone... oh wait, maybe they will 
. Just think of all the extra money that'll be saved on utilities and maintenance when these hotels are closed down.
. And if you don't like it, well, that's your problem, not mine 
.
Plus, isn't that what hotels are for - accommodating guests? Or in this case...immigration agents too? 
. It's like they're being forced to play host to all this drama. I mean, can't they just stay open and be safe? The Hilton DoubleTree is usually a great spot, especially their cookie thingy... what's going on with the cookies now? 
. I remember those days of protests and controversy... times sure have changed fast! 