The ACLU is calling out Motel 6 for reportedly giving guest lists to ICE

The ACLU is publicly questioning Motel 6 after a Phoenix New Times report found that at least two of the motel chain's locations sent guest information to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

One Motel 6 clerk told the Phoenix New Times that employees at that location "push a button" to send ICE guest information every morning at 5 a.m.

The quote was promptly tweeted out by the ACLU to Motel 6's Twitter account, and posted to the company's Facebook page.

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Numerous people were stunned by the story.

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Motel 6's privacy policy says it collects a slew of information on its guests via online bookings and physical stays, including name, gender, birthdate, image, nationality, ID, credit card info, "information collected during your visit to a company hotel or motel through the use of closed circuit television systems" and "internet systems," and a lot more.

Under the policy's "compliance with the law" section, it states that "we may disclose guest information to law enforcement agencies, or may be required to disclose it during the discovery process in litigation, pursuant to a court order, or in compliance with any applicable law, regulation, rule or ordinance."

We asked the company whether sending guest list information to law enforcement -- including ICE -- is the policy at any or all Motel 6 locations. We'll update if we hear anything.

UPDATE 9:30 a.m. ET Sept. 14:

Raiza Rehkoff, Motel 6 director of public relations and Latin American marketing, wrote to imply that sending guest lists to ICE is not a company-wide policy.

"Regarding the recent media story on Phoenix-area location, this was implemented at the local level without the knowledge of senior management. When we became aware of it last week, it was discontinued. We are currently investigating and will provide more information shortly."

"Over the past several days, it was brought to our attention that certain local Motel 6 properties in the Phoenix-area were voluntarily providing daily guest lists to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As previously stated, this was undertaken at the local level without the knowledge of senior management. When we became aware of it, it was discontinued. 

UPDATE 11:55 p.m. ET Sept. 14:

Rehkoff emailed a more comprehensive statement, writing that Motel 6 has made it clear that their locations are not to send guest list information to ICE.

"Moving forward, to help ensure that this does not occur again, we will be issuing a directive to every one of our more than 1,400 locations nationwide, making clear that they are prohibited from voluntarily providing daily guest lists to ICE.

Additionally, to help ensure that our broader engagement with law enforcement is done in a manner that is respectful of our guests’ rights, we will be undertaking a comprehensive review of our current practices and then issue updated, company-wide guidelines.

Protecting the privacy and security of our guests are core values of our company. Motel 6 apologizes for this incident and will continue to work to earn the trust and patronage of our millions of loyal guests."