Minneapolis Council Threatens to Deny Liquor Licenses for Hotels that Housed ICE Agents

Council members claim the hotels put public safety at risk by housing federal immigration agents.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Members of the Minneapolis City Council discussed denying the renewal of liquor licenses to two local hotels that housed agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The council members claimed the hotels, the Canopy and the Depot, put public safety at risk by housing the federal agents. The council plans to conduct a one-day investigation before deciding whether to allow the licenses to be renewed.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between local governments and federal immigration enforcement efforts. The Minneapolis City Council is taking a strong stance against the hotels for cooperating with ICE, reflecting the city's progressive politics and opposition to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

The details

The council members argued that by housing DHS personnel, the Canopy hotel (affiliated with Hilton) and the Depot hotel (affiliated with Marriott) placed public safety at risk. The council plans to conduct a one-day investigation by staff before deciding whether to allow the liquor licenses to be renewed. Anti-ICE rioters had previously targeted hotels suspected of housing federal immigration agents.

  • On Thursday, Border czar Tom Homan announced an end to Operation Metro Surge, a crackdown on illegal immigration.
  • On November 22, President Donald Trump declared an end to 'Temporary Protected Status' for Somalis in Minnesota.

The players

Aurin Chowdhury

A Minneapolis City Council member who questioned whether the council should investigate the situation further before making a decision.

Wade Luneburg

The recording secretary for Unite Here Local 17, a union that argued a liquor license is a privilege that should be reserved for businesses that prioritize public safety.

Alex Pretti

A person who was fatally shot during confrontations connected to 'rapid-response' efforts to confront ICE operations.

Renee Nicole Good

A person who was fatally shot during confrontations connected to 'rapid-response' efforts to confront ICE operations.

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What they’re saying

“Do we want to take a moment to do due process and investigate the situation that our constituents throughout the city have raised up as a grave concern or not?”

— Aurin Chowdhury, Minneapolis City Council member (WCCO)

“We believe that a liquor license is a privilege and that privilege should be reserved for businesses who keep the public safety in mind.”

— Wade Luneburg, Unite Here Local 17 recording secretary (WMSP)

What’s next

The Minneapolis City Council plans to conduct a one-day investigation by staff on Thursday before deciding whether to allow the liquor licenses for the Canopy and Depot hotels to be renewed.

The takeaway

This dispute reflects the ongoing tensions between local governments and federal immigration enforcement, with the Minneapolis City Council taking a strong stance against hotels that cooperated with ICE. The council's actions highlight the political divide over immigration policy and the desire of progressive cities to resist federal immigration crackdowns.