ICE arrested SEIU labor leader David Huerta at an LA immigration raid protest; DOJ charged him with impeding federal agents

On June 6, 2025, federal agents arrested David Huerta, president of SEIU-United Service Workers West and SEIU California, outside an Ambiance Apparel garment warehouse in Los Angeles, where he had joined a crowd of protesters and workers' advocates watching federal agents conduct a worksite immigration raid. According to a criminal complaint filed by a Department of Homeland Security agent, Huerta alternately sat and paced in front of a gate, "effectively preventing law enforcement vehicles from entering or exiting the premises" while ICE executed a search warrant, and directed other protesters on what to do. Video of the arrest posted to social media showed agents in law-enforcement vests pushing Huerta to the ground; he was hospitalized for his injuries before being taken into custody at the federal Metropolitan Detention Center downtown.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California charged Huerta with conspiracy to impede a federal officer, an offense carrying up to six years in prison. He was released on bond the next day on condition that he stay at least 100 yards from federal officers. The arrest drew immediate condemnation from California elected officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom, who said "no one should ever be harmed for witnessing government action," and became a flashpoint that helped fuel a broader wave of protests in Los Angeles against the administration's immigration enforcement surge, amid President Trump's public description of the city as "invaded and occupied by illegal Aliens and Criminals."

Huerta maintained he had been peacefully protesting and that his arrest and prosecution were retaliation for exercising his First Amendment rights.

Updates

2025-10-17 — Felony charge against Huerta reduced to misdemeanor [4]

Federal prosecutors dropped the original felony count of conspiracy to impede a federal officer against Huerta and filed a misdemeanor obstruction charge in its place, a reduction that coincided with a court ruling disqualifying then-Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli from several cases after a judge found he had served beyond his legally authorized tenure. Huerta was arraigned on the misdemeanor charge on November 25, 2025, pleaded not guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alicia G. Rosenberg, and said the charges were "baseless."

2026-07-27 — DOJ moved to dismiss conspiracy charge against Huerta [2]

More than 13 months after the arrest, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California filed a motion to dismiss the conspiracy-to-impede charge against Huerta without prejudice, with a further dismissal with prejudice expected within 30 days if he continues complying with his bond conditions. Huerta's attorneys, Abbe David Lowell and Marilyn Bednarski, said prosecutors "had no legal basis for the case" and that he had protested peacefully outside an ICE operation. Huerta said the dismissal confirmed the charge "was baseless, meant to intimidate anyone who dares to speak out, organize, or demand justice," while the U.S. Attorney's Office said Huerta had "agreed to accept responsibility for his actions" and had complied with his bond terms since the arrest.