SEIU California President Detained During ICE Raid

Incident Overview

Service Employees International Union California President David Huerta was injured and detained while documenting an immigration enforcement raid in downtown Los Angeles Friday, labor union officials said — prompting protests and calls for his release.

Details of the Incident

Huerta, 58, was treated at a hospital and then transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown L.A., where he remained in custody as of 5:30 p.m., according to a spokesperson for the labor union. Protesters spray-painted the center with messages such as “F— ICE,” “Burn Prisons” and “Abolish ICE.”

Reaction from Huerta

“What happened to me is not about me; This is about something much bigger,” he said in a statement from the hospital. “This is about how we as a community stand together and resist the injustice that’s happening. Hard-working 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.”

Federal Authorities’ Statement

Federal authorities, however, said Huerta deliberately obstructed federal agents’ access to a worksite where they were executing a warrant by blocking their vehicle.

ICE Raids

Agents executed four search warrants across L.A. Friday related to the suspected harboring of people illegally in the country, according to Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe, a spokesperson for Homeland Security Investigations, a branch of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

Official Reactions

“Let me be clear: I don’t care who you are — if you impede federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted,” U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli wrote in a statement on X. “No one has the right to assault, obstruct, or interfere with federal authorities carrying out their duties.”

Elected Officials’ Statements

Elected officials representing Los Angeles at the city, county, state and federal levels released a flurry of statements condemning Huerta’s arrest, criticizing the raids and decrying the Trump administration’s escalation of deportations.

L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn’s Statement

“SEIU California President David Huerta was injured by federal agents and wrongfully detained,” said L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn. “I am calling for his immediate release. This is a democracy. People have a right to peacefully protest, to observe law enforcement activity, and to speak out against injustice.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Statement

Gov. Gavin Newsom called Huerta a respected leader, patriot and advocate for working people.
“No one should ever be harmed for witnessing government action,” he wrote on X.

Arrest and Charges

Essayli said Huerta was arrested on suspicion of interfering with federal officers and will be arraigned Monday.

U.S. Assistant Attorney General’s Statement

“There is not a First Amendment right to physically obstruct law enforcement officers from executing a duly issued warrant,” said Harmeet Dhillon, the U.S. assistant attorney general for civil rights.

Protests and Demonstrations

Hundreds of people rallied outside the Los Angeles Federal Building, condemning the crackdown and demanding Huerta’s release.

Protesters’ Demands

By 6:30 p.m., a crowd of more than 100 people had gathered outside an immigration services building and detention center downtown, with several protesters wearing T-shirts with the words, “ICE out of L.A.”

Protester Mandy Bell’s Statement

“Immigrants are not the enemy,” she said. “I didn’t think the raids would come here. It’s so wrong, so I’ll be out here. I gotta find out when the next protest is.”

Conclusion

The detention of SEIU California President David Huerta during L.A. ICE raids has sparked widespread protests and condemnation from elected officials. The incident highlights the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and the rights of individuals to peacefully protest and observe law enforcement activity.

FAQs

1. Who is David Huerta?
   David Huerta is the President of Service Employees International Union California.
2. Why was David Huerta detained?
   Huerta was detained while documenting an immigration enforcement raid in downtown Los Angeles.
3. What were the charges against Huerta?
   Huerta was arrested on suspicion of interfering with federal officers.
4. What was the reaction of elected officials to Huerta’s detention?
   Elected officials representing Los Angeles at the city, county, state and federal levels released statements condemning Huerta’s arrest and criticizing the raids.
5. What were the protests about?
   The protests were against the ICE raids and the detention of Huerta, with demonstrators demanding his release and calling for an end to immigration enforcement actions.