U.S. Hotels Increase Background Checks Amid Heightened Immigration Enforcement

U.S. hotels are stepping up background checks for new hires in 2025, responding to a sharp rise in immigration enforcement and new federal rules. Since President Trump returned to office in January, hotel managers across the United States 🇺🇸 have seen a 36% jump in background check requests compared to the first half of 2024. This change comes after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reversed earlier policies in June, now allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to conduct workplace raids in hotels and other industries that had been protected under President Biden.

The hospitality sector, which employed over 2.15 million people in 2024, relies heavily on immigrant workers. About 34% of housekeepers and 24% of cooks in U.S. hotels are foreign-born. With the new focus on immigration enforcement, hotel owners and managers are under pressure to make sure every employee is legally allowed to work. This means more thorough background checks, longer hiring times, and new worries about keeping enough staff during busy seasons.

Why Are U.S. Hotels Tightening Background Checks?

The main reason for the surge in background checks is the Trump administration’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement. In June 2025, DHS changed its policy, giving ICE agents the green light to conduct workplace raids in hotels, agriculture, and food service. These industries had been mostly off-limits for such raids during President Biden’s term. Now, hotel managers must be extra careful to avoid hiring anyone without proper work authorization.

Patrick Scholes, a hotel equity analyst at Truist, explains, “Employers are more vigilant than ever. They don’t want to risk being accused of inadequate verification practices.” Hotels are not only worried about breaking the law but also about the risk of fines, losing their business licenses, or even facing criminal charges if they are found to have hired unauthorized workers.

How Are Hotels Responding to New Immigration Enforcement?

Hotels are taking several steps to protect themselves and stay within the law:

• Ordering More Background Checks: According to Hireology, a leading HR technology company, background checks are now a key part of hotel hiring. Managers want to be sure every new worker is legally allowed to work in the United States 🇺🇸.
• Partnering with Screening Firms: Many hotels are working with third-party companies that specialize in background checks. These firms help speed up the process and make sure all legal requirements are met.
• Verifying Documents: Human resources (HR) staff must carefully check documents like the I-9 form, visas, and work permits. They must keep these records in case ICE asks for them during an inspection. The official I-9 form is used to verify a worker’s identity and eligibility to work in the United States 🇺🇸.
• Training Staff: Hotels are updating their policies and training HR staff to keep up with changing immigration laws and enforcement practices.
• Investing in Technology: Some hotel groups are buying new software and tools to make background checks faster and more accurate.

What Does the DHS Policy Reversal Mean for Hotels?

The DHS policy change in June 2025 is a big deal for the hospitality industry. ICE agents can now enter hotels to check if workers have the right papers. This has made hotel owners nervous, especially since many depend on immigrant workers for jobs like cleaning rooms, cooking, and working at the front desk.

Hotels that fail to follow the rules can face serious consequences:

• Fines: Hotels can be fined for each unauthorized worker they hire.
• Loss of Business License: In some cases, hotels can lose their right to operate.
• Criminal Charges: If a hotel is found to have knowingly hired unauthorized workers, managers could face criminal charges.

Impact on Hotel Operations and Staffing

The new focus on background checks and immigration enforcement is causing real problems for hotel managers. Even though overall hiring across 1,000 tracked hotel properties rose by 22% (over 8,000 workers) in early 2025, the demand for key roles like housekeepers, cooks, and front desk staff has not grown. This is partly because it now takes longer to hire new workers.

Recruitment delays are common. With more steps in the hiring process, it can take weeks to bring on new staff. This is especially hard during busy travel seasons when hotels need extra help. Some managers worry they won’t have enough workers to keep up with guest demand.

Hotels are also spending more money on background checks and legal advice. They must balance the need to follow the law with the need to keep their businesses running smoothly.

Industry and Advocacy Group Responses

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has been meeting with the Trump administration to talk about workforce shortages and the impact of new immigration policies. AHLA and other industry groups want Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform and make it easier for hotels to hire guest workers through programs like H-2B and J-1 visas. However, progress on these changes has been slow.

Immigrant advocacy groups are worried about the effects of mass deportations and the loss of work permits for people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). They warn that many families could fall into poverty if breadwinners lose their jobs. These groups also say that fewer workers could lead to higher prices for hotel stays and other services.

Economic Impact and Price Increases

The new immigration enforcement policies are expected to raise costs for hotels and their guests. FWD.us, a group that studies immigration policy, projects a 3.9% price increase in the leisure and hospitality sector because of these changes. This could make vacations and business travel more expensive for everyone.

Hotels are also facing higher costs for background checks, legal advice, and new technology. These expenses add up, especially for smaller hotels with tight budgets.

Legal Uncertainty and Pending Changes

Some of President Trump’s executive orders on immigration are facing legal challenges in federal courts. For example, orders about birthright citizenship have been temporarily blocked. This creates uncertainty for hotel owners, managers, and workers. They must keep up with changing rules and be ready to adjust their hiring practices at any time.

Hotels are expected to keep investing in compliance—meaning more training, better record-keeping, and stronger background check systems. Some may try to keep workers longer to reduce the need for new hires, while others may look for ways to automate certain jobs.

Step-by-Step: How Hotels Handle Background Checks in 2025

Here’s how the process works for most U.S. hotels today:

1. Start the Background Check: When someone applies for a job, HR orders a full background check. This includes checking immigration status and work eligibility.
2. Work with Screening Companies: Many hotels use outside firms to handle background checks quickly and accurately.
3. Check and Keep Documents: HR staff must look at all documents (like the I-9 form, visas, and work permits) and keep copies for possible audits or ICE inspections.
4. Expect Delays: Because of the extra steps, it can take longer to hire new workers. There may also be backlogs at agencies that verify documents.
5. Stay Up to Date: Hotels must regularly update their policies and train staff on the latest immigration and employment laws.

Common Questions About Hotel Hiring and Immigration Enforcement

• Can hotels refuse to hire foreign-born workers? No. Hotels must treat all applicants fairly and follow anti-discrimination laws. However, they must also make sure every worker has legal permission to work in the United States 🇺🇸.
• What happens if a hotel doesn’t follow the rules? Hotels can face fines, lose their business licenses, or even face criminal charges if they hire unauthorized workers.
• Are there exceptions for certain visa holders? Only people with valid, current work permits or visas can be hired. If a permit has expired or been revoked, the person cannot work legally.

Broader Context: Immigration and the U.S. Hospitality Industry

The U.S. hospitality industry has always depended on immigrant workers, especially for lower-wage jobs. Many hotels say they cannot find enough U.S.-born workers willing to take these positions. That’s why industry groups keep asking Congress to improve guest worker visa programs and make it easier for hotels to hire the staff they need.

President Trump’s 2025 executive orders have made it harder for both legal and unauthorized immigrants to work in the United States 🇺🇸. These policies include stricter background checks, more workplace raids, and efforts to limit both legal and illegal immigration. Some of these orders are being challenged in court, but for now, hotels must follow the new rules.

Multiple Perspectives: Industry, Workers, and Advocacy Groups

• Hotel Managers: Many say they are caught in the middle. They want to follow the law but also need enough workers to keep their businesses running. Some worry that stricter rules will make it even harder to fill open jobs.
• Immigrant Workers: Many are afraid of losing their jobs or being deported. Some may leave the industry or move to other states where enforcement is less strict.
• Advocacy Groups: These groups warn that mass deportations and loss of work permits will hurt families and the economy. They also say that higher costs for hotels will be passed on to consumers.
• Industry Analysts: Experts say hotels will need to invest more in compliance and may have to raise prices to cover higher costs.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for U.S. Hotels and Immigration?

The Trump administration has signaled that it will keep up, or even increase, immigration enforcement in the coming months. More executive orders and regulatory changes are expected. This means hotels must stay alert and be ready to adjust their hiring practices quickly.

Legal challenges to some of these policies are ongoing, so the rules could change again. For now, hotels are focusing on compliance—making sure every worker is legally allowed to work and keeping careful records in case of an audit.

Hotels may also try to keep workers longer, invest in new technology, or look for ways to automate some jobs. However, most experts agree that the industry will continue to rely on immigrant workers for the foreseeable future.

Practical Guidance for Hotel Owners and Managers

• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest immigration laws and enforcement practices. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides official updates and resources.
• Invest in Training: Make sure HR staff know how to check documents and handle background checks properly.
• Work with Experts: Consider hiring legal or HR experts to help with compliance.
• Keep Good Records: Store all hiring documents safely and be ready for possible audits or inspections.
• Plan for Delays: Build extra time into your hiring process to account for longer background checks and document verification.

Conclusion: Balancing Compliance and Staffing Needs

U.S. hotels are facing a tough challenge in 2025. They must follow stricter immigration enforcement rules while trying to keep enough staff to serve guests. Background checks have become a central part of hiring, and hotels are investing in new technology and training to keep up.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the hospitality industry is working closely with policymakers and advocacy groups to find solutions, but progress is slow. For now, hotel owners, managers, and workers must adapt to a fast-changing landscape, balancing legal compliance with the need to provide quality service.

By staying informed, investing in compliance, and treating all workers fairly, hotels can protect themselves from legal risks and continue to serve guests across the United States 🇺🇸. The coming months will likely bring more changes, so staying flexible and prepared is more important than ever.

Learn Today

Background Checks → Processes verifying applicants’ criminal history, immigration status, and work eligibility before hiring.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) → U.S. federal agency overseeing immigration enforcement and national security policies.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → Federal agency authorized to enforce immigration laws and conduct workplace raids.
I-9 Form → Official document verifying a worker’s identity and legal authorization to work in the United States.
Work Authorization → Legal permission required for a non-citizen to work in the U.S. under immigration laws.

This Article in a Nutshell

U.S. hotels face rising immigration enforcement challenges with a 36% surge in background checks. New DHS policies permit ICE raids, pressuring hotels to verify work eligibility meticulously. Managers invest in technology and training to comply, balancing legal risks with staffing needs amidst uncertain regulations and potential operational delays.
— By VisaVerge.com