(NewsNation) — Hotels are closing in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region because of safety concerns as tensions escalate between federal immigration authorities and anti-ICE protesters.
The Double Tree in downtown St. Paul informed some guests with a notice slipped under the door of their rooms saying their reservation would be canceled as of noon Sunday. Staff would help guests find alternate accommodations, it said.
“Please know that your safety and well-being will always be our top priority,” said the written communication, a copy of which was obtained by NewsNation. “We are taking this step out of care for you, our team members, and the surrounding community.”
Downtown St. Paul is about two miles from the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, where anti-ICE protesters have clashed with federal agents.
On Saturday, protesters critical of the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration confronted a smaller group of right-wing activists in downtown Minneapolis. Some members of the latter group appeared to be injured in the clash.
A similar closing notice reportedly was distributed to guests at two additional hotels in St. Paul — the Holiday Inn and the InterContinental.
Protesters previously have targeted hotels in downtown Minneapolis by generating loud noise in the streets, in an attempt to disrupt the sleep of federal agents who may be staying in the buildings.
“Agitators aren’t just targeting our officers. Now they’re targeting churches, too. They’re going from hotel to hotel, church to church, hunting for federal law enforcement who are risking their lives to protect Americans … We won’t be deterred. ICE isn’t going anywhere,” the agency said in an X post Sunday.
ICE reposted a local church’s video claiming protesters disrupted worship services while alleging a pastor works for ICE. The Justice Department says it’s investigating.
The Twin Cities have been especially on edge since an ICE officer fatally shot motorist Renee Good Jan. 7 during the Trump administration’s scaled-up immigration enforcement there.
The surge in federal resources stemmed from financial fraud linked to some members of Minnesota’s Somali community, but the ensuing crackdown and Good’s death have overshadowed the scandal.