A recent series of incidents involving the denial of service to ICE agents and Department of Homeland Security leaders at various businesses has sparked important questions about the boundaries of private business practices and the treatment of law enforcement. These actions, particularly at gas stations and hotels, have raised alarms about whether they reflect lawful discretion or veer into illegal discrimination against those performing their official duties.
The spotlight fell on a Speedway gas station in a recent incident, captured on video by conservative activist Cam Higby. U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino was confronted by a manager who openly stated, “Because I wanted to. I don’t support ICE and nobody here does.” This blatant expression of bias highlights the challenges that federal law enforcement officers face in public spaces today. When pressed for the legality of denying service based on an officer’s role, the manager skirted the question, while an employee dismissed concerns about potential legal repercussions, saying, “If it is [illegal] I personally don’t care.”
This incident isn’t isolated; it follows similar refusals at a Hampton Inn in Lakeville, Minnesota, where ICE agents had their reservations canceled. They were made to feel unwelcome, further demonstrating a troubling trend. In Chicago, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was turned away from a building simply to use a restroom. These actions raise pressing issues about the respect and treatment of federal officials tasked with enforcing laws.
In the face of backlash, businesses like Hilton took corrective actions. After the Hampton Inn faced public scrutiny, it distanced itself from the incident, even removing the hotel’s signage. Hilton’s CEO Christopher Nassetta commented, “A safety and security issue is a different issue — it’s closed to all,” attempting to frame the company’s response as ensuring safety rather than just serving law enforcement.
Experts are weighing in on this controversial practice of denying service. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Zack Smith described the behavior of individuals like the Speedway manager as “shameful.” He emphasized that penalizing law enforcement officers for doing their job is not only inappropriate but also harmful to businesses that choose to engage in such conduct. “We’ve seen this in the past,” Smith noted, referencing similar incidents that occurred in the atmosphere following the death of George Floyd. He argues that, while businesses have the legal right to refuse service, exercising that right in this manner is morally questionable.
Smith further contends that this trend could ultimately harm the businesses involved. He believes that even if a business can deny service, it does not mean they should. The broader public sentiment, particularly within the conservative community, is clear: consumer power can influence corporate decisions.
The Speedway incident ignited online outrage, leading many to threaten a boycott of the convenience store chain and its corporate parent, 7-Eleven. Critics have noted the company’s failure to address the situation as publicly or promptly as Hilton did after its own incident. Smith observed that consumers aren’t likely to approve of businesses that refuse service to law enforcement, and he predicts that public accountability will play a significant role in how these businesses respond moving forward.
This ongoing discussion illustrates a growing tension in society regarding law enforcement and private business interactions. The decisions made in these everyday situations reflect deeper attitudes toward authority and accountability. As consumers become more vocal about their expectations, businesses may need to carefully reconsider how they manage their relationships with federal law enforcement officers.
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