At a time when widespread immigration raids are commonly occurring, two major hotel chains with headquarters in D.C. have announced that they will not permit federal immigration enforcement agencies to utilize their hotel rooms as detention centers for immigration families due to a shortage of space in traditional detention centers. Both Marriott International and Choice Hotels released public statements, addressing the U.S. government, with declining using their facilities to detain individuals along with ICE. These statements come in response to petitions by local activist organizations, demanding that hotel companies publicly vow to not cooperate with ICE. Unions such as Sanctuary DMV, delivered petitions to the hotel headquarters with 12,000 signatures demanding the refusal to aid ICE by Local hotel companies. Likewise other local unions plan on increasing the pressure on other national hotel chains by accumulating signatures. According to the 2014 numbers of undocummented immigrants living in D.C. concluded by the American Immigration Council, there are an estimated 25,000 living in the district.

“Not just union properties, but every hotel in the D.C. region must publicly refuse to let ICE use their rooms as prison cells for immigrants,” Local 25’s John Boardman said in a statement. “Local 25 members took jobs in an industry that’s supposed to welcome and serve guests—not one that jails and deports them.” In preparation of these raids activists have set up 24/7 hotlines, as well as set up a “Know Your Rights” campaign. In the event that an undocummented parent is detained by ICE, the D.C. council passed an emergency law to designate a standby guardian for 90 days. The bill prevents children from becoming a ward of the state and instead have a friend, family member or neighbor have temporary responsibility for their children.