Two downtown St. Paul hotels shut after ICE threats
Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures has temporarily closed the Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront and the Doubletree St. Paul Downtown to all guests, saying 'elevated safety and security concerns' and threats tied to lodging ICE/DHS agents forced them to suspend operations as of noon Sunday, Jan. 18. A letter to federal agents, obtained by FOX News and reported by FOX 9, says existing reservations are canceled and the hotels will arrange alternative accommodations, including paying for one night elsewhere at the original rate. An Intercontinental front-desk manager told an ICE agent the closure was to protect staff after the properties received threats from unknown individuals angry they were housing federal officers. The shutdowns come as Operation Metro Surge has turned the Twin Cities hospitality sector into a flashpoint, with postal workers the same day rallying on Lake Street in Minneapolis to demand ICE stay off postal property. For downtown St. Paul, losing two flagship hotels — even temporarily — means lost shifts for workers, disrupted bookings, and yet another sign that federal immigration tactics are colliding head‑on with local safety and business realities.
📌 Key Facts
- Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront and Doubletree St. Paul Downtown are temporarily closed to all guests as of noon Jan. 18, 2026.
- Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures says it suspended operations due to 'elevated safety and security concerns' and threats over lodging ICE/DHS agents.
- The hotels are canceling existing reservations, issuing refunds, and paying for one night at other hotels for affected ICE agents at their booked rate.
- A front‑desk manager told an ICE agent the closure was specifically to protect staff after threats were made.
- The closures unfold amid Operation Metro Surge and parallel protests, including postal workers on Lake Street demanding ICE stay off postal property.
📊 Relevant Data
Operation Metro Surge is a DHS initiative launched in December 2025, deploying thousands of ICE agents to Minnesota to arrest criminal non-citizens, resulting in over 2,000 arrests including individuals convicted of serious crimes like rape and drug trafficking.
Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the US, with approximately 107,000 people of Somali descent in 2024, representing about 2% of the state's population, with nearly 80,000 residing in the Twin Cities area.
By the numbers: Minnesota's Somali population, according to ... — KTTC
Somali immigrants in Minnesota have higher rates of involvement in certain crimes compared to natives, with claims that 80% of crimes in the Twin Cities are committed by Somalis being inaccurate, but overall data showing elevated crime rates among the community.
Yes, Somali Immigrants Commit More Crime Than Natives — City Journal
Somali Minnesotans generate over $500 million in annual income and contribute approximately $67 million in state and local taxes, with many owning businesses.
Solidarity with our immigrant neighbors - Minnesota Council of ... — Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
The resettlement of Somali refugees in Minnesota began in the 1990s through U.S. refugee programs, with voluntary agencies and policies facilitating their placement in the state due to available jobs and community networks.
How Minnesota became a hub for Somali immigrants in the U.S. - NPR — NPR
Since Operation Metro Surge began, ICE has made over 2,400 arrests in the Twin Cities, many involving individuals with criminal convictions, though specific nationality breakdowns for 2025-2026 show a focus on various groups including those from countries with high refugee populations.
2,400 have been arrested by immigration officials in Twin Cities ... — KARE11
The hotels in St. Paul received threats from unknown individuals for lodging DHS/ICE agents, leading to temporary closures for staff safety.
Two St. Paul hotels cancel rooms for ICE agents, close due to safety ... — FOX9
Postal workers in Minneapolis protested on January 18, 2026, demanding ICE agents stay off postal property and cease operations in Minnesota, citing past use of postal parking lots as staging areas.
Postal workers join Minneapolis protests against ICE as mayor ... — KATU
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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