Travelers are calling for the boycott of Motel 6 in wake of an investigation by the Phoenix New Times that found multiple locations in Arizona have been sharing guest information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
After reviewing court records, the New Times found that ICE agents made at least 20 arrests at Motel 6 hotels in Phoenix between February and August of this year. However, the publication acknowledges that the figure is likely even higher given the documents' vague details.
All of the arrests occurred at either the Motel 6 Phoenix - Black Canyon or the nearby Motel 6 Phoenix West. Both locations are corporate-owned.
One-third of the arrests followed "knock and talks," where agents knock on hotel room doors without a warrant and instead ask for permission to enter.
"We send a report every morning to ICE-all the names of everybody that comes in," a Motel 6 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."
Some detainees even allege that ICE officials are paying hotel staff for tips.
[CALLOUT]
"They have heard that ICE is paying $200 per person for the front-desk clerk to report," Arizona immigration lawyer Denise Aguilar, who has multiple clients who were detained at a Motel 6, told the New Times in an email.
Yasmeen Pitts O'Keefe, a spokeswoman for ICE's Phoenix division, was unable to say whether agents are checking hotel guest lists to crack down on undocumented immigrants.
"I wouldn't be able to confirm how we are getting our information. Those are investigative techniques that we wouldn't be able to talk about," she told the New Times. "It's not some big conspiracy. If they're [ICE agents] given consent, then they can come in. If they're not, then they can come back with a search warrant."
While a recent Supreme Court decision prohibits the city of Phoenix from requiring motels to turn over guest information to authorities without a warrant, a hotel owner can voluntarily share that information at their own discretion.
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Motel 6 responded to the story and subsequent backlash with a public statement, claiming it was unaware and has discontinued the controversial practice.
In an emailed statement to the New Times, Motel 6 spokeswoman Raiza Rekhoff said the chain is "further investigating and will provide more information shortly."
Meanwhile, the hashtag #BoycottMotel6 has been trending on social media with users posting harsh criticism of the brand.
It remains to be seen whether the motel chain can remedy its latest black eye. Nonetheless, the public relations hit is likely to last for some time as groups including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) demand answers.
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