On July 15, the AHA sent letters to the CEOs of Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and Marriott International, hotel chains the Association regularly uses for its annual meetings. AHA executive director Jim Grossman applauded the companies' refusal to allow US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to utilize hotel space as temporary detention centers during the announced raids on immigrant communities.

July 14, 2019

Christopher J. Nassetta
President and CEO, Hilton Worldwide
McLean, VA 22102

Dear Mr. Nassetta:

The American Historical Association has long partnered with Hilton to host its annual meeting. Our contracts with Hilton hotels include clauses certifying fair treatment of hotel staff, and maintaining a welcoming environment that affirms the dignity of our participants and guests. In that spirit we appreciate Hilton’s announcement that its hotel rooms will not be used as temporary detention centers during this week’s raids on immigrant communities.

The AHA is the largest association of professional historians in the world. It is chartered by the United States Congress to promote the study of history in the United States. To advance this goal, the association has agreed on shared standards, among them a commitment to mutual respect, reasoned discourse, and appreciation for humanity in its full variety. We believe that the ICE raids and the accompanying rhetoric violate those standards. As historians, we are also aware of the importance of immigrants to America’s hotel and related industries. We applaud Hilton’s principled stand.

Sincerely,

James Grossman
Executive Director

July 15, 2019

Mark Hoplamazian
CEO, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
150 N. Riverside Plaza, 8th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60606

Dear Mr. Hoplamazian:

The American Historical Association has long partnered with Hyatt to host its annual meeting. Our contracts with Hyatt hotels include clauses certifying fair treatment of hotel staff, and maintaining a welcoming environment that affirms the dignity of our participants and guests. In that spirit we appreciate Hyatt’s announcement that its hotel rooms will not be used as temporary detention centers during this week’s raids on immigrant communities.

The AHA is the largest association of professional historians in the world. It is chartered by the United States Congress to promote the study of history in the United States. To advance this goal, the association has agreed on shared standards, among them a commitment to mutual respect, reasoned discourse, and appreciation for humanity in its full variety. We believe that the ICE raids and the accompanying rhetoric violate those standards. As historians, we are also aware of the importance of immigrants to America’s hotel and related industries. We applaud Hyatt’s principled stand.

Sincerely,

James Grossman
Executive Director

July 15, 2019

Arne M. Sorensen
CEO, Marriott International
Fernwood Road
Bethesda, Maryland 20817

Dear Mr. Sorensen:

The American Historical Association has long partnered with Marriott to host its annual meeting. Our contracts with Marriott hotels include clauses certifying fair treatment of hotel staff, and maintaining a welcoming environment that affirms the dignity of our participants and guests. In that spirit we appreciate Marriott’s announcement that its hotel rooms will not be used as temporary detention centers during this week’s raids on immigrant communities.

The AHA is the largest association of professional historians in the world. It is chartered by the United States Congress to promote the study of history in the United States. To advance this goal, the association has agreed on shared standards, among them a commitment to mutual respect, reasoned discourse, and appreciation for humanity in its full variety. We believe that the ICE raids and the accompanying rhetoric violate those standards. As historians, we are also aware of the importance of immigrants to America’s hotel and related industries. We applaud Marriott’s principled stand.

Sincerely,

James Grossman
Executive Director