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Democrats Defend California SEIU Labor Leader David Huerta After Arrest for Blocking ICE Vehicle During Los Angeles Immigration Raids

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Democrats are defending California SEIU President David Huerta after the labor leader was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles Friday for blocking an ICE vehicle during a series of immigration raids across the city by Homeland Security agents.

SEIU California President David Huerta Arrested by ICE for blocking police vehicle in Los Angeles, photo via US Attorney Bill Essayli, June 6, 2025.

Huerta was reportedly injured when federal agents forced him out of the way of an ICE vehicle. Huerta was treated at a hospital while in custody and was discharged Friday evening. He will most likely be held in custody until arraignment in federal court on Monday.

Civilian video and a federal law enforcement bodycam video show officers approaching Huerta as he stands in front of the ICE vehicle, then after they shove him out of the way he tumbles to the sidewalk after either losing his footing or being pulled away by fellow protesters.

Interim U.S. Attorney for Los Angeles Bill Essayli posted a statement along with video and a photo of Huerta, “Federal agents were executing a lawful judicial warrant at a LA worksite this morning when David Huerta deliberately obstructed their access by blocking their vehicle. He was arrested for interfering with federal officers and will face arraignment in federal court on Monday. Let me be clear: I don’t care who you are—if you impede federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted. No one has the right to assault, obstruct, or interfere with federal authorities carrying out their duties.”

SEIU posted defiant statements, “Let’s be clear: ICE injured and detained the president of SEIU California for peacefully observing. ICE picked the wrong side. The wrong state. The wrong person. and the wrong union. David Huerta stood up. And 750,000 SEIU workers are standing with him.”

“UPDATE: David Huerta has been released from the hospital but remains in custody. His words: “We all collectively have to object to this madness because this is not justice. This is injustice.” Free David Huerta. Free them ALL.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D): “David Huerta is a respected leader, a patriot, and an advocate for working people. No one should ever be harmed for witnessing government action.”

Speaker Emerita Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): “The president of SEIU California was exercising his first amendment right to witness law enforcement activity. For being a patriotic American, David Huerta was arrested by ICE and hurt and is now receiving care while in custody. No matter who this happened to, it is outrageous. He must be immediately released from custody and receive proper care. -NP”

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA): “The Trump administration’s continued targeting of our immigrant communities, its illegal renderings and separation of families is unconscionable. Today’s detention of, and injury to, David Huerta, President of @seiuusww, and a U.S. citizen, while acting as a community observer during an immigration raid in LA is another terrible example. This is part of a larger campaign of intimidation by the White House. And it must end.”

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA): “David is a long time champion and respected member of our community who did today what he’s done his entire career: stand up for working families. We must all stand together with David––and against this reckless pattern of extreme and cruel immigration enforcement.”

Ken Martin, chairman of the Democratic Party, “David Huerta, the president of @seiucalifornia, was just injured and detained by ICE for exercising his First Amendment rights. This is immoral and un-American. Here’s the thing about the labor movement—when you come after one of us, you’re coming after all of us.”

Excerpt from KNBC-TV on the ICE raids in Los Angeles:

Federal agents arrested more than 40 people while conducting immigration raids and executing search warrants at multiple locations in downtown Los Angeles Friday.

A total of four search warrants were served at three different locations in Los Angeles, according to Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe of the Homeland Security Investigations, a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

As nearly two dozen people were detained at the parking lot of the Home Depot location in Westlake District on Wilshire Boulevard near MacArthur Park, federal agents were also seen going into two offices of Ambience Apparel in downtown LA, one on Towne Avenue and another on East 15th Street.

In all, 44 people were “administratively” arrested while another person was arrested for obstruction,” Pitts O’Keefe added.



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