Summers in Arizona are brutal, where temperatures exceed 100 almost daily, reaching heights that can fry an egg on a sidewalk. If locals don’t have air conditioning, they may be tempted to stay at a local motel to escape the heat. But, if they’re staying at a Motel 6, they may be in for another type of heat …

In yet another Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid targeting Latinos, Motel 6 settled a discrimination and privacy lawsuit in which guests claimed that their location and personal information were shared with ICE.

Not Nice, ICE

In January of 2018, the state of Washington sued Motel 6, claiming ICE officials were going to at least six motel locations without warrants and asking for guests lists. In that suit, over 9,150 guests claimed their privacy rights were violated. Hotel receptionists would give ICE agents a list of guests with “Latino-sounding” last names, along with a form to sign confirming the lists’ receipt.

They can be. Generally, ICE officials cannot raid a private residence without a warrant. ICE can generate its own arrest warrants, usually when those targeted are already court-ordered to be deported. But only a court can issue a search warrant. In this case, they needed a search warrant, since there was no reason to believe anything illegal was going on, just because the guests were hispanic. ICE must also bring with them a translator so that the targets understand the situation and their rights.

If you feel you or someone you know has been the victim of an illegal raid, or if you just want to understand your rights, contact an Immigration Lawyer, who can review these details with you.

Related resources:

  • Immigration Lawyers by Location (FindLaw’s Lawyer Directory)
  • Ordered Deported: Are Immigration Raids Legal? (FindLaw’s Law and Life)
  • Can ICE Agents Make Arrests at Courthouses? (FindLaw’s Law and Daily Life)

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