David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California and SEIU-United Service Workers West’s president, was injured and detained by federal agents during a series of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in downtown Los Angeles on Friday.
Newsweek reached out to SEIU via its online form on Saturday for comment.
The Context
As reported by Newsweek, hundreds of people flooded the streets of downtown Los Angeles on Friday following a series of reported raids carried out by ICE earlier that day.
The raids resulted in the detention of at least 44 individuals and sparked protests, with demonstrators clashing with law enforcement. ICE agents used pepper spray and smoke grenades to disperse the protesters.
What To Know
Reports say Huerta was observing and documenting ICE operations when he was allegedly pushed to the ground by federal agents, resulting in a head injury.
ABC News said, at one point, a scuffle broke out involving federal agents, during which Huerta appeared to be pushed and struck his head. In one video, a federal agent is seen pushing him while his hands are at his hips, causing him to fall to the ground.
Huerta was hospitalized for treatment and later transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center, where he remained in custody, the Los Angeles Times said.
What People Are Saying
SEIU stated on its X, formerly Twitter, page: “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.”
The post has since had over 949,000 views.
A SEIU press release updated Friday, stated: “David Huerta, President of SEIU California and SEIU- United Service Workers West, has been released from the hospital where he was treated for injuries sustained during his arrest and at this time remains in custody.”
Huerta made the following statement: “What happened to me is not about me; This is about something much bigger. This is about how we as a community stand together and resist the injustice that’s happening. Hardworking people, and members of our family and our community, are being treated like criminals. We all collectively have to object to this madness because this is not justice. This is injustice. And we all have to stand on the right side of justice.”
Tia Orr, executive director of SEIU California, said in a statement: “SEIU California members call for the immediate release of our President, David Huerta, who was injured and detained at the site of one of today’s ICE raids in Los Angeles. He is now receiving medical attention while in custody.
“We are proud of President Huerta’s righteous participation as a community observer, in keeping with his long history of advocating for immigrant workers and with the highest values of our movement: standing up to injustice, regardless of personal risk or the power of those perpetrating it.
“We call for an end to the cruel, destructive, and indiscriminate ICE raids that are tearing apart our communities, disrupting our economy, and hurting all working people. Immigrant workers are essential to our society: feeding our nation, caring for our elders, cleaning our workplaces, and building our homes.”
Elected officials have denounced both the raids and Huerta’s detention.
California Governor Gavin Newsom posted on X: “David Huerta is a respected leader, a patriot, and an advocate for working people. No one should ever be harmed for witnessing government action.”
Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) issued a statement saying: “I call for the immediate release from custody of SEIU President David Huerta who was harmed and arrested while protesting one of several immigration raids taking place today in Los Angeles County. David is a respected leader in California’s powerful and united labor movement.
“The reign of terror and merciless attacks on our immigrant communities by the Trump Administration must stop.”
Congresswoman Linda Sánchez posted on X: “ICE violently detaining and injuring labor leader David Huerta for exercising his constitutional rights is an attack not just on him, but on every worker and immigrant.”
However, not everyone was in agreement.
Bill Essayli, U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, posted on X: “Federal agents were executing a lawful judicial warrant at a LA work site 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.”
What Happens Next
Since his inauguration on January 20, President Donald Trump has introduced widespread changes, primarily through executive orders, with immigration control emerging as a central focus of his administration.
The latest incident has intensified scrutiny of ICE’s enforcement tactics and raised concerns about the treatment of community observers and labor leaders during such operations.
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