In a stunning display of politics over principle, the Minneapolis City Council has reversed course after attempting to stall liquor license renewals for two downtown hotels — all because of rumors that federal immigration agents once stayed there.
Yes, you read that right.
Two weeks ago, the council voted 8-5 to delay renewing liquor licenses for Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District and Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, separating them from a routine batch of approvals. Their alleged offense? Reports that ICE agents had booked rooms — and unverified claims that those agents misbehaved at hotel bars.
Never mind that the Minneapolis city attorney made it crystal clear that city staff had determined the hotels “comply with all applicable liquor licensing laws and ordinances and regulations, and therefore they are eligible to have the license renewed.”
Compliance apparently wasn’t enough.
Instead, activists and sympathetic council members insisted they had “heard reports” that ICE agents were getting drunk and engaging in illegal conduct at the hotels. With no documented proof presented, the council pressed pause and scheduled a public hearing to dig into the accusations.
And what happened when the big day arrived?
Seven people showed up.
Not one provided first-hand evidence of wrongdoing.
In fact, one hotel worker — and union member — directly contradicted the narrative, telling the council that “claims that these [hotels] are contracting with ICE, or overpouring liquor to agents are false and deeply damaging.”
Deeply damaging indeed — especially for businesses already navigating a challenging economic climate.
Still, Council Member Aurin Chowdhury attempted to keep the controversy alive. After public testimony wrapped up, she moved to delay the licenses yet again so city staff could investigate the claims further. Her proposal would have dragged the process into March.
Meanwhile, these licenses would have almost certainly sailed through approval weeks ago had they not been singled out.
Several council members had clearly had enough.
Council Member Michael Rainville, who represents the ward where both hotels operate, revealed that the establishments were already feeling the financial sting. He said he had spoken directly with hotel leadership and learned reservations had been canceled due to the cloud hanging over their liquor licenses.
Council Members LaTrish Vetaw and Pearll Warren also voiced strong opposition to prolonging what increasingly appeared to be a politically motivated delay.
The city attorney warned there was a “risk” in further postponement. Vetaw had previously cautioned that the city could be inviting a lawsuit by refusing to follow its own procedures.
When the vote came, Chowdhury’s motion to delay failed — 6-7.
Moments later, the council voted 11-2 to move the licenses forward to the full council for a final vote scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19. City staff were instructed to investigate the ICE-related allegations and report back, though they expressed confidence they could gather the necessary information within two days.
Notably, licensing officials have already clarified that the hotels’ liquor licenses remain valid and usable unless they are formally “withdrawn or denied.”
