ICE Used Marriott Hotel to Detain Migrants

A Sheraton hotel under Marriott's purview in Louisiana has apparently been used as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding pen for people set to be deported, the Guardian reports, despite Marriott vowing in 2019 that its properties wouldn't cooperate with ICE.

• The Intercept first reported on the case of 15-year-old Roger Iza, snatched by authorities in New York City earlier this month with his father and sent to the Sheraton in Alexandria, before ultimately being deported to Ecuador. The Guardian notes one of its own sources "with knowledge of hotel operations" in the Louisiana city was sure that particular hotel had been used as a detention site for immigrant families and unaccompanied minors since its renovation two years back, with ICE contractors spotted there as recently as June. The source adds other hotels in the area, which is near an airport and major deportation hub employed by ICE, have also been used to hold immigrants.

• In a follow-up report, the Guardian notes Marriott "did not initially respond to multiple requests for comment." Then, a brief three-sentence response: "Our hotels provide public accommodation and event space, but are not designed or intended to serve as detention centers. Acceptance of business does not indicate support or endorsement of any group or individual. The property you have reached out about is operated by a third party, not Marriott International."
• In July 2019, Marriott seemed more firm on possible ties to ICE. "Our hotels are not configured to be detention facilities, but to be open to guests and community members as well," it told ABC News at the time. "While we have no particular insights into whether the US government is considering the use of hotels to aid in the situation at the border, Marriott has made the decision to decline any requests to use our hotels as detention facilities."
• Critics are already slamming Marriott over the new reports. "It would be highly unfortunate if major hotel chains are facilitating the Trump administration's cruel policy of deporting families," the ACLU's Lee Gelernt tells the Guardian.
• In Los Angeles, meanwhile, communities are showing up to protest federal agents staying at hotels there.