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According to an article in the Phoenix New Times, the newspaper reviewed court records and found that between February and August of 2017, ICE agents made at least 20 arrests at Motel 6s. All took place at one of two Motel 6 locations in predominantly Latino neighborhoods.
The newspaper’s investigation did not reveal records showing that ICE conducted arrests at other local motels during that time period. Although management at both Motel 6 locations told reporters to contact corporate headquarters’ media hotline, employees unofficially said it was common practice to share guest information with ICE.
“We send a report every morning to ICE—all the names of everybody that comes in,” one front-desk clerk told the New Times. “Every morning at about 5 o’clock, we do the audit and we push a button and it sends it to ICE.”
A spokesperson for ICE’s Phoenix division wouldn’t comment on whether ICE regularly reviews hotel guest lists or investigates tips sent by Motel 6 employees.
It is, however, well known that Motel 6 is very enthusiastic about cooperating with law enforcement and, in other parts of the U.S., has been criticized by the ACLU for sharing guest lists with police.
Although a 2015 Supreme Court decision forbade cities from requiring motels to turn over guest information without a warrant, it’s up to the owners of individual motels as to whether they will give up that information.
After the original New Times story was published, Motel 6 admitted they’d been sharing guest information with ICE, but said that the policy “had been implemented on the local level without the knowledge of senior management” and was being discontinued.
The chain was roundly criticized across social media for its vague statement that did not provide any remedies for future actions. The next day, Motel 6 issued another statement:
“Over the past several days, it was brought to our attention that certain local Motel 6 properties in the Phoenix area were voluntarily providing daily guest lists to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As previously stated, this was undertaken at the local level without the knowledge of senior management. When we became aware of it, it was discontinued.
Moving forward, to help ensure that this does not occur again, we will be issuing a directive to every one of our more than 1,400 locations nationwide, making clear that they are prohibited from voluntarily providing daily guest lists to ICE.
Additionally, to help ensure that our broader engagement with law enforcement is done in a manner that is respectful of our guests’ rights, we will be undertaking a comprehensive review of our current practices and then issue updated, company-wide guidelines.
Protecting the privacy and security of our guests are core values of our company. Motel 6 apologizes for this incident and will continue to work to earn the trust and patronage of our millions of loyal guests.”What do you think? Was Motel 6 in the wrong to voluntarily provide guest lists to ICE? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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