Motel 6 Settles With Attorney General Over Accusations of Helping ICE

After a lengthy investigation and lawsuit, Motel 6 will pay a $12 million dollar fine and agree to other conditions, as part of a settlement with the Washington State Attorney General's office.

AG Bob Ferguson's office released a statement Thursday about the incident, which read in part:

"Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Thursday that the national hotel chain Motel 6 will pay $12 million to resolve his lawsuit against the company for voluntarily providing guest lists to agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on a routine basis for over two years.

In addition, Motel 6 signed a legally binding commitment to no longer hand over guest information without a warrant or other lawful basis at all locations, and must adopt this policy nationwide. The company will provide training for its employees to ensure they do not release guests’ private information unlawfully. The Attorney General will monitor Motel 6’s policies and training for the next three years."

According to Ferguson, the chain turned over access to information often times without a warrant. The ICE searches did result in at least 9 detections and detentions of illegals, and several other investigations. The data sharing reportedly occurred between 2015 and 2017.

However, Ferguson claims the searches caused 'hardship' and distress for these persons. Critics of the lawsuit say it's the latest example of Ferguson siding with illegals and doing whatever he can to thwart or resist immigration law enforcement by ICE, DEA and even the FBI. He has been active voice in Seattle's resistance to immigration enforcement, and a supporter of Seattle's Sanctuary City policies.

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