A North Texas college student says she lost her job and received online threats after posting a viral video claiming Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were staying at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, where she worked.
Gia, a 20-year-old nursing student who asked that her last name not be used, said she shared the video on TikTok while working as a valet at the hotel. The post has since garnered more than 2.5 million views, drawing both praise and criticism online.
Gia said she was motivated to speak out after learning about Renee Nicole Good, a woman who was fatally shot by an ICE agent during a federal operation in Minneapolis on Jan. 7.
“That really hurt me deeply,” Gia told CBS News Texas.
In the video, Gia said ICE agents were staying at the hotel. Supporters applauded her for alerting the community, while critics accused her of doxing federal agents and putting them at risk. Gia said that was never her intent.
“My intention with the video was to warn families within the community to take shelter if they needed to,” she said.
Gia said she was fired after refusing to take the video down. Towne Park, the third-party valet company operating at the Hilton Anatole, confirmed her termination.
“The associate violated our business conduct policy and is no longer employed by our company,” Towne Park said in a statement.
Hilton Hotels and Resorts also addressed the situation, saying it respects guest privacy and that the matter was handled by the parking company.
Gia said she knew posting the video could cost her job but felt compelled to act.
“I just couldn’t understand how they could walk around with so much confidence knowing that they’re tearing families apart,” she said.
She added that a Bible verse inspired her decision, emphasizing compassion toward immigrants.
Gia has since joined protests against ICE in downtown Dallas. While she is now searching for a new job, she said she has no regrets about speaking out.
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