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Minneapolis Council Delays Liquor License Votes for Two ICE-Linked Hotels

Members want public testimony and legal clarity before any vote.

Overview

  • The Committee of the Whole voted 8–5 to postpone renewal decisions for the Canopy by Hilton MinneapolisMill District and The Depot Minneapolis and set a Feb. 17 public hearing.
  • City Attorney Quinn O’Reilly told council members the hotels comply with applicable laws and no legal basis to deny renewal has been identified.
  • Business licensing manager Amy Lingo said the delay does not halt operations, and both hotels may continue serving alcohol unless a license is withdrawn or denied.
  • Backers of the delay cited constituent complaints and unverified reports of ICE agents’ misconduct and said they want additional fact-finding and public input.
  • Opponents argued using licensing to scrutinize hotels over their guests could be discriminatory and legally risky, noting protests have already caused damage and layoffs.