David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union California (SEIU), walked barefoot out of federal custody on Monday evening, cradling his shoes in hand and a message in his voice: he didn’t intend to be arrested, but he doesn’t regret standing up.
Huerta, 58, is now facing a federal charge of conspiracy to impede an officer following his arrest during a protest in downtown Los Angeles. The demonstration, held Friday, challenged a federal immigration raid executed under the Trump administration’s renewed crackdown on undocumented labor.
Speaking in Spanish, Huerta told reporters, “This fight is ours, it’s our community’s, but it belongs to everyone. We all have to fight for them.”
What Sparked the Arrest?
According to a federal court filing obtained by the Associated Press, Huerta was taken into custody during an ICE operation that targeted a Los Angeles business suspected of employing undocumented immigrants and forging employment documents. The arrest took place as officers with Homeland Security Investigations executed a federal search warrant.
While details of Huerta’s specific actions remain unclear, prosecutors allege he interfered with law enforcement duties. He was released on a $50,000 bond.
The FBI has confirmed it is investigating “any evidence of a criminal conspiracy” tied to recent anti-ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles.
A Union Leader and a Political Flashpoint
Huerta’s arrest ignited backlash from progressive leaders and immigrant advocates. The SEIU, which represents 750,000 workers statewide from nurses and janitors to court clerks and caregivers, has long been vocal in defending immigrant labor.
April Verrett, SEIU International President, called the arrest disturbing but not surprising.
“Thousands of workers remain unjustly detained and separated from their families. At this very moment, immigrant communities are being terrorized by heavily militarized armed forces. The Trump regime calling in the National Guard is a dangerous escalation to target people who disagree with them. It is a threat to our democracy. The federal government should never be used as a weapon against people who disagree with them.”, Verrett said in a statement Monday.
Human Cost and Political Fallout
Outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, where Huerta was released, supporters gathered to denounce what they view as federal overreach. His appearance, shoeless and solemn symbolized for many, the sacrifices made by community leaders on the front lines of resistance.
Verrett continued, emphasizing the fundamental role of immigrants in America’s social and economic fabric.
“America is a nation of immigrants. Immigrant workers are essential to our society: feeding our nation, caring for our elders, cleaning our workplaces, and building our homes,” she said. “Immigrants are scientists, they are teachers and professors. They are our co-workers, neighbors and family members. They deserve our respect and they need their constitutional rights respected.”
Where This Is Heading
As tensions grow between federal authorities and advocacy groups in California, Huerta’s legal battle could become a flashpoint in the broader immigration debate. His supporters vow to continue organizing, while federal agencies intensify their scrutiny of what they now call coordinated resistance.
With the 2026 midterm elections looming and immigration enforcement back in national headlines, the question isn’t just whether David Huerta will face conviction, it’s how many others might be willing to take his place.
