The Service Employees International Union California (SEIU California) has become the focal point of a dramatic and fast-unfolding story in Los Angeles, following a series of large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that resulted in the arrest of 44 individuals and the detention of SEIU California President David Huerta. As protests erupted citywide and local leaders voiced outrage, the events have sparked a renewed debate over immigration enforcement, civil rights, and the role of labor unions in defending vulnerable communities.
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SEIU California President Detained Amid ICE Raids
On Friday, June 6, 2025, federal immigration authorities executed coordinated raids at three locations across Los Angeles, targeting suspected cases of harboring undocumented immigrants. The operations, which involved Homeland Security Investigations, the DEA, and the FBI, led to the administrative arrest of approximately 44 individuals. However, the most high-profile detention was that of David Huerta, president of SEIU California, who was injured and taken into custody while documenting the law enforcement activity.
Huerta, a respected labor leader and longtime advocate for immigrant workers, was reportedly injured during a confrontation with federal agents. Witnesses and video footage show Huerta being pushed to the ground and restrained, with some reports indicating he was tased and pepper-sprayed. After being treated at a hospital, he was transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, where he remained in custody as of Friday evening.
Huerta’s arrest has galvanized the labor movement and immigrant rights advocates, with SEIU California and its allies demanding his immediate release. In a statement from the hospital, Huerta emphasized that his detention was about more than his own experience: “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.”
Community Outrage and Political Response
The ICE raids and Huerta’s arrest triggered spontaneous protests throughout Los Angeles. Hundreds gathered outside the federal courthouse and detention centers, chanting, holding signs, and calling for an end to what they described as indiscriminate and cruel enforcement actions. Protesters spray-painted anti-ICE messages on federal buildings, and the Los Angeles Police Department eventually declared an unlawful assembly, deploying officers in riot gear to disperse the crowds.
Local and state leaders swiftly condemned both the raids and Huerta’s detention. Mayor Karen Bass confirmed Huerta’s arrest and expressed concern for his well-being, highlighting the emotional trauma of witnessing families being separated. California Governor Gavin Newsom called Huerta a “respected leader, patriot, and advocate for working people,” insisting that “no one should ever be harmed for witnessing government action.” Several county supervisors and state senators echoed these sentiments, demanding accountability and the immediate release of Huerta.
The political backlash extended beyond Los Angeles. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla described the raids as “a continuation of a disturbing pattern of extreme and cruel immigration enforcement operations across the country,” while other officials decried the targeting of nonviolent, hardworking community members.
SEIU California’s Role and the Broader Implications
SEIU California has long been at the forefront of labor and immigrant rights advocacy. The union’s leadership, including Huerta, has consistently supported efforts to protect undocumented workers and push for comprehensive immigration reform. Friday’s events have only intensified SEIU California’s resolve to challenge what it sees as unjust and inhumane enforcement tactics.
Key developments from the raids and their aftermath include:
- 44 individuals arrested in ICE operations across three Los Angeles locations
- David Huerta, SEIU California President, detained and injured while observing the raids
- Hundreds of protesters rallied in downtown Los Angeles, leading to confrontations with law enforcement
- Widespread condemnation from city, county, and state officials, as well as national labor leaders
The union and its supporters argue that the right to peacefully observe and document law enforcement activity is protected, and that targeting community leaders sends a chilling message to all those who advocate for immigrant rights. They also warn that aggressive enforcement actions risk undermining trust between immigrant communities and public institutions, making it harder for families to seek help or report crimes.
What’s Next for SEIU California and Los Angeles?
As of Saturday, David Huerta remains in federal custody, facing possible charges of interfering with federal officers. His arraignment is scheduled for Monday, and SEIU California is mobilizing legal and community support to secure his release. Meanwhile, advocacy groups are calling for independent investigations into the conduct of federal agents during the raids and demanding broader policy changes to protect immigrant families.
The events of June 6 have reignited the debate over immigration enforcement in California, a state with a large immigrant population and a strong tradition of labor activism. SEIU California’s leadership vows to continue fighting for the rights of all workers, regardless of immigration status, and to stand against policies they view as unjust or discriminatory.
For Angelenos and the broader California community, the coming days will be critical. The outcome of Huerta’s case and the response from federal, state, and local authorities will shape the future of immigration policy, labor rights, and civic activism in the state.
Stay informed, get involved, and make your voice heard—because the story of SEIU California and the Los Angeles ICE raids is far from over.
Join the movement to support immigrant rights and labor justice. Attend local rallies, contact your elected officials, and follow SEIU California for updates on David Huerta’s case and ongoing advocacy efforts.