Minneapolis council moves to block Graduate Hotel GM from city board over ICE housing
The Minneapolis City Council is moving to deny the general manager of the Graduate Hotel a seat on a city board amid allegations that downtown hotels housed ICE agents during Operation Metro Surge. Council members are also scrutinizing liquor-license renewals for the Canopy and The Depot — but City Attorney Quinn O’Reilly said officials must show a nexus between alcohol service and any public-safety concerns before restricting licenses, while Council Member Michael Rainville said the threat of license loss has prompted cancellations, reduced hours and planned layoffs and Council Member Aurin Chowdhury pressed for due process and possible investigation before Thursday’s vote.
📌 Key Facts
- Minneapolis council members are scrutinizing liquor-license renewals for two downtown hotels, the Canopy and The Depot, after allegations the properties housed ICE agents during Operation Metro Surge.
- Allegations that the hotels hosted ICE agents have prompted consideration of denying or conditioning liquor licenses as a response to public-safety concerns.
- At a committee-of-the-whole hearing, City Attorney Quinn O’Reilly said council members must show a nexus between the licensed activity (alcohol service) and any public-safety concerns tied to hosting federal agents before they can deny or condition a license.
- Council Member Michael Rainville said the threat of losing liquor licenses has already led to cancellations, reduced hours and planned layoffs at the affected hotels.
- Council Member Aurin Chowdhury urged that due-process steps and a possible investigation be completed before the council's Thursday vote on the licenses.
📊 Relevant Data
Between 2024 and 2025, Minnesota experienced a net domestic migration gain of about 1,100 people, marking the first positive net domestic migration since 2018, while international immigration dropped to 12,000 from 25,000 the previous year.
Minnesota gains 33,000 residents in 2025 despite immigration drop — Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal
Minnesota attracts a significantly more educated migrant population than its existing residents, with 52% of international migrants aged 25 and over holding a bachelor's degree or higher in 2022, compared to 40% of the state's overall population.
Understanding Minnesota's Complex Migration Patterns in the 21st Century — Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
From 2019 to 2023, nearly 60% of Minnesota's total labor force and employment growth came from foreign-born workers, who now comprise about 11% of the state's workforce.
Immigrants make up growing share of Minnesota's workforce — Sahan Journal
Operation Metro Surge, which began in December 2025, resulted in financial losses to Minneapolis hotels estimated at $4.4 million due to cancellations and reduced occupancy amid protests.
Minneapolis economy struggles amid protests, federal presence — Fort Wayne Business Weekly
During Operation Metro Surge, Latino- and Somali-owned businesses in Minneapolis were especially hard hit economically, contributing to the overall $200 million loss in the city's economy.
Minneapolis economy struggles amid protests, federal presence — Fort Wayne Business Weekly
In a 1963 case, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the City of Minneapolis acted arbitrarily in denying a liquor license application based on insufficient evidence of public safety risks.
Sabes v. City of Minneapolis — Justia Law
Operation Metro Surge heightened risks and fears for disabled Minnesotans in immigrant communities, leading many to stay home and avoid public spaces due to potential ICE encounters.
For disabled Minnesotans, ICE surge brought heightened risk and fear — Sahan Journal
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Council members are now scrutinizing liquor-license renewals for two downtown hotels — Canopy and The Depot — after allegations they housed ICE agents during Operation Metro Surge.
- At a committee-of-the-whole hearing, City Attorney Quinn O’Reilly told members they must show a nexus between the licensed activity (alcohol service) and any public-safety concerns tied to hosting federal agents before denying or conditioning a license.
- Council Member Michael Rainville said the threat of license loss has already led to cancellations, reduced hours and planned layoffs at the hotels, while Council Member Aurin Chowdhury pressed for due-process steps and possible investigation before Thursday’s vote.