Two downtown St. Paul hotels owned by Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures have temporarily suspended operations, citing "elevated safety and security concerns."
The closures come amid an ongoing federal immigration enforcement crackdown in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, which has prompted anti-ICE protests and civil unrest throughout the region.
The InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront and DoubleTree St. Paul Downtown ceased accepting guests at noon on Jan. 18, according to a statement shared via Facebook from Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures' board of directors. The company, a business entity of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe tribal government, didn't provide details about the specific concerns or an expected reopening.
"We apologize for this inconvenience and are contacting guests to offer re-accommodation to other properties at no charge while these hotels are temporarily closed," the company said. "The safety and security of all of our guests and employees is always our top priority."
Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures was asked to further comment on the closings.