By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A Sheraton hotel in Alexandria, Louisiana, has been utilized by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain individuals facing deportation, which contradicts Marriott’s 2019 stance against the use of its properties for such purposes. Evidence suggests the hotel held a father and son for four days before their deportation to Ecuador. Sources indicate that this practice may have been ongoing since late 2023. Despite a prior rejection of ICE’s requests to use its hotels as detention facilities, Marriott has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
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Ice used Marriott chain to detain immigrants, despite hotel’s 2019 pledge not to cooperate | US immigration, is the central issue we are focusing on.
Marriott, despite its 2019 pledge to not cooperate with ICE, is a key player in this issue. The evidence suggests the hotel chain, or at least some of its franchises, has been providing rooms for the detention of immigrants by ICE. While the exact details of the contracts between Marriott and governmental agencies remain unclear, the implications are significant.
It’s understandable that the public is concerned. The idea of a company that claims to be against such practices, then providing the very thing that enables those actions, can be unsettling. Adding to the complexity is the understanding that the corporation’s contract may be with FEMA, and FEMA is not required to disclose the purpose of the rooms. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to ascertain the extent of Marriott’s involvement and whether it was a corporate decision, or if it was driven by franchise owners acting independently.
The role of franchise owners is crucial here. While a corporate pledge can set a tone, the reality on the ground might be different. Franchise owners, operating independently, may make their own choices based on their financial interests. This is where the argument regarding the profit motive comes in. Corporations, like any business, seek to maximize profits. If cooperating with ICE leads to financial gains, some franchisees may choose to do so, even if it contradicts the company’s public stance.
This issue brings up larger questions about the ethics of business and the relationship between corporations and government agencies. Some people have mentioned that companies will often work with whoever they need to, to maximize profit. This raises questions about where companies draw their lines when it comes to their ethical practices.
Furthermore, the discussion has touched upon the role of the Mormon Church in the whole situation. Given that the Marriott company has ties to the Church, some have expressed concerns about the church’s influence and whether the company’s actions reflect its values. They argue that the church’s history of prioritizing wealth and power might influence Marriott’s decisions, even if the company is not directly controlled by the church.
Regardless of the exact motivations, the fact remains that immigrants have been housed in Marriott hotels. It’s critical to understand that this practice has been going on, even if it does not include the corporate entity itself, as the actual actions are on the franchise level. This contradicts the company’s 2019 promise. The public needs more information to comprehend the specifics of the contracts and the true extent of the company’s involvement.
There are also legal and constitutional questions. If rooms are being used to house detained immigrants without due process, it could raise legal issues. Additionally, if government agencies are using hotels for purposes that violate the rights of immigrants, this could infringe on constitutional rights.
The conversation has also touched on economic aspects. Some have speculated that the government is housing immigrants to avoid the issue of overcrowding, but at the cost of using tax-payer money. This also brings up the question of the true economic motives of the companies involved.
Ultimately, the issue of Ice used Marriott chain to detain immigrants, despite hotel’s 2019 pledge not to cooperate, requires a thorough investigation. We need to understand the exact nature of the contracts, the motivations of the parties involved, and the potential legal and ethical implications. Only then can we fully grasp the scope of the problem and address it appropriately.