It seems most everyone has an opinion on the re-inauguration of President Donald Trump and the confirmation of key administration positions, and the travel industry is no exception.
As can be expected, major organizations whose mission is closely tied to any presidential administration preferred to reignite their relationship with the president and his cabinet officials on a positive note, with U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman congratulating Trump the day after his election victory and then applauding the confirmation of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as Secretary of State January 20.
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“We applaud the U.S. Senate for confirming Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, a position that is central to welcoming millions of global travelers to the United States every year,” a statement from Freeman read. “Through his leadership as a senator from Florida, Secretary Rubio understands the economic and diplomatic impact of a robust travel industry.
“With the U.S. hosting the 2025 Ryder Cup, America’s 250th anniversary, the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games over the next four years, it is crucial that we continue to win the global competition for travelers,” the statement continued. “This will require strong leadership and focused effort from the State Department to improve efficiency, reduce visa wait times and expand security-first programs such as the Visa Waiver Program. The travel industry is ready to partner with Secretary Rubio to ensure America remains the global leader in travel.”
AHLA Welcomes One of Its Own
American Hospitality and Lodging Association issued the following statement congratulating both Trump and new Vice President J.D. Vance:
“On behalf of the American hotel industry, we congratulate President Trump and Vice President Vance on their inauguration,” wrote AHLA President and CEO Rosanna Maietta. “As a hotelier, President Trump brings to the White House a unique understanding of our industry’s business model and the challenges our members face every day. AHLA also congratulates the members of the 119th Congress at the beginning of the new term. As a bipartisan organization, with hotels in every state and congressional district in the country, we are committed to working across the aisle for the benefit of our industry, workforce and the communities we serve.”
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Immigration Raid Concerns in California
The tone from California was different, however, with the Sonoma County Hospitality Association sharing information from the California Hotel and Lodging Association (CHLA) about how hotel properties should handle Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in major cities.
According to the email sent by Sonoma County Hospitality Association, the CHLA issued the following advice regarding complying with ICE raids at hotels and in Sanctuary Cities, noting that the first raids could occur in Chicago, Miami, New York City and/or San Diego. The CHLA noted that undocumented immigrants with violent criminal histories would be the focus of these raids, according to administration officials.
As detailed in the email, the California Hotel and Lodging Association offers the following information.
Primary ICE Enforcement Tools:
Workplace ICE Raids
- ICE agents can come to your property and question employees and detain those suspected of being undocumented.
- Those detained will go through a legal deportation process.
- Make sure ICE agents have a warrant—check scope of warrant.
- If they do not have a warrant, do not let them in private areas.
- Contact an immigration attorney immediately.
- Capture information: badge numbers, names, questions asked, where they looked, etc.
- Have employees refer questions to a point person for that shift.
- DO NOT panic, run away or lie to ICE agents or interfere with their activities.
Social Security Number “No Match” Letters
- Follow the instructions on the letter.
- Receiving a letter is not a statement about employee immigration status.
- DO NOT fire or take any adverse action against an employee simply because you received a letter.
Form I-9 Audits
- Every employee should have an I-9.
- Only keep I-9 forms for three years or one year after employment ends (whichever is longer).
- Self-audit I-9 forms and correct mistakes.
- Use single-line strikethrough and correct errors on a new I-9 form attached to the old one. If necessary, attach an explanation.
- DO NOT use white out or correction fluid on your forms.
The email listed the following resources for those who need additional information: California Hotel and Lodging Association; American Business Immigration Coalition.
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