California union leader faces criminal charge for protesting ICE raid
Why it matters: Huerta's arrest Friday has energized Democrats and union opposition to the Trump administration's fast-escalating anti-immigration push.
Zoom in: Huerta is president of the Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW), representing more than 45,000 janitors, security officers and airport service workers in California.
The Justice Department is charging the 58-year-old union leader with "conspiracy to impede an officer," per NBC news. He was among dozens arrested over the past few days in L.A.
The union is calling for his immediate release and on Monday organized rallies in at least 19 cities across the country in support — including in New York, Chicago and Washington D.C.
Catch up quick: Video shows Huerta being pushed to the ground by an officer on Friday — he was initially hospitalized.
"This is about how we as a community stand together and resist the injustice that's happening," Huerta said in a statement Friday. "Hard-working people, and members of our family and our community, are being treated like criminals."
U.S. attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement Friday 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."
"I don't care who you are—if you impede federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted. "
What they're saying: "In this moment, obviously, given David's role in our union, is one where we are being outspoken," SEIU president April Verrett told Axios Monday morning before the criminal charges were filed.
"But this is not just about David. This is about all of us who just want to go to work every day."
"House Democrats will stand with David Huerta for as long as it takes until the charges are dropped," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said in a statement over the weekend.
Zoom out: Huerta is at least the third SEIU member to get detained by the Trump administration.
Last month, federal authorities released a 64-year-old healthcare worker, Lewelyn Dixon, who had been detained for three months and has legal permanent status in the U.S. for the past half-century.
Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts graduate student and SEIU member, was released after six weeks in custody.
The big picture: Immigrants have played a key role in most unions for the past couple decades, but perhaps none more than SEIU in California, which has seen a lot of success organizing janitors, health care workers and fast food employees.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
House Republicans block release of Jeffrey Epstein files
House Republicans on Monday blocked a Democratic attempt to force the Justice Department to release all records related to Jeffrey Epstein, rejecting an amendment that highlighted growing rifts in MAGA World over the issue. The House Rules Committee voted 6–5 to prevent the measure from moving to a full House vote. The amendment, introduced by Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., would have required Attorney General Pam Bondi to post all Epstein-related documents on a publicly accessible website within 30 days. All Republicans on the panel opposed the move except for Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C. Democrats acknowledged it was unlikely to pass but designed to put the GOP on record. 'This is about trust. Republicans said, 'Trust us. Vote for us and we'll release these files.' Here we are — they're backtracking,' said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass, the top Democrat on the committee. McGovern also took aim at President Donald Trump, noting his recent Truth Social post calling on Republicans to move on from Epstein. 'I think we all want to know why Trump is suddenly changing his tune and is so desperate to sweep this under the rug.' the rules committee ranking member said. Khanna framed the vote as a test of allegiance: 'Are you on the side of the rich and powerful, or are you on the side of the people?' he asked. Khanna vowed to reintroduce the amendment 'again and again,' saying after the vote that it wasn't just about who was being protected but about 'the sense that people have that the government is too beholden to certain interests who have their thumb on the scale.' Republicans argued the measure was irrelevant to the underlying bill, a cryptocurrency regulation proposal. 'Most of us believe what's appropriate will be released when it is time,' said committee chair Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C. Trump, whose supporters have long called on him to release the files, over the weekend distanced himself from the issue, calling it a distraction and saying that the files were 'written by' his political enemies, including former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Bondi previously said she was in possession of a 'client list' but the administration has since walked that claim back. Norman, the lone Republican vote in favor, told Axios, 'The public's been asking for it. I think there are files. All of a sudden not to have files is a little strange.' The post House Republicans block release of Jeffrey Epstein files appeared first on
Chicago Tribune
an hour ago
- Chicago Tribune
Ex-Speaker Madigan asks to remain free on bond pending appeal
Attorneys for former House Speaker Michael Madigan have formally asked that he remain free on bond pending appeal of his conviction on sweeping corruption charges, arguing in a filing Monday night he's not a flight risk and that there are complex legal issues which, if resolved in his favor, will require a new trial. Madigan, 83, was sentenced last month to 7 1/2 years in prison and ordered to report by Oct. 13. But in their 21-page motion, Madigan's attorneys signaled they will file a vigorous appeal, and argued he should not spend time behind bars until after it is resolved — which could take a year or more. Such requests are fairly common in white collar cases where there were significant legal issues, which Madigan's case certainly contained. But convincing a judge who sentenced a defendant to prison that they should remain free can be challenging, particularly when the same judge already ruled before or during the trial on the issues being raised. Madigan's defense team acknowledged that U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey already 'resolved the issues discussed' in their motion, but said 'few areas of criminal law are more complex, and more rapidly evolving, than federal bribery law.' Much of the uncertainty stems from a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year that substantially reined in prosecutions under a federal bribery law known as 666, its number in the federal code. In its decision in the bribery case of former Portage, Indiana, Mayor James Snyder, the high court ruled that 'gratuities' — or gifts given as a thank-you for actions a public official has already taken — are not criminalized under the federal statute, and that prosecutors must prove there was an agreement ahead of time, often referred to by the Latin . Madigan's motion argued that Blakey's instructions to the jury erred in part by focusing 'on the intent of the bribe-giver, not the recipient,' flipping what prosecutors are actually required by statute to prove. The judge also incorrectly modified the language in the instructions to say payments to Madigan's associates be 'in connection with … official duties,' the motion stated. The instructions also were flawed when it came to the 'heavily litigated definition of 'corruptly,'' Madigan's team argued, 'and the crucial instruction on 'stream of benefits,' the motion stated. The motion also challenges Blakey's decision to admit the now-infamous wiretapped recording of Madigan telling his co-defendant, Michael McClain, that some of their associates had 'made out like bandits.' McClain responded, 'For very little money too.' The judge initially barred the jury from hearing the conversation, which began with a discussion about a labor consultant who was on ComEd's payroll, not one of the subcontractors that were part of the indictment. But Blakey but let in after Madigan testified he didn't know ComEd was paying his associates for no work. 'The substantial questions, if resolved in Madigan's favor, are likely to result in reversal of all convictions or a new trial,' Madigan's attorneys said. After a trial that stretched nearly four months, Madigan was convicted by a jury Feb. 12 on bribery conspiracy and other corruption charges. The jury found him guilty on 10 of 23 counts, including a multipronged scheme to accept and solicit payments from ComEd to Madigan associates for do-nothing subcontracts. Madigan also was convicted on six out of seven counts — including wire fraud and Travel Act violations — regarding a plan to get then-Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis, who testified at length in the trial, appointed to a state board. The jury acquitted Madigan of several other schemes alleged in the indictment and deadlocked on other counts, including the overarching racketeering charge. In handing down the 90-month prison term on June 13, Blakey said Madigan's crimes represented 'abuse of power at the highest level' and were aggravated by the fact that Madigan had every advantage in life, including a privileged education and a thriving law practice. The judge also found that Madigan lied repeatedly and willfully when testifying in his own defense during the trial. Blakey called it 'a nauseating display of perjury and evasion' that was 'hard to watch.' jmeisner@
The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
The Hill's Headlines - July 15, 2025
HOUSE House GOP blocks Democratic maneuver to force the release of Jeffrey Epstein's files SENATE Senate Democrats demand hearing with DOJ whistleblower ahead of judicial nominee Emil Bove's vote ECONOMY The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose in June to 2.7% annual rate, the highest since February BUSINESS Nvidia CEO says the sale of AI chip is back on in China after meeting with President Trump STATE WATCH Floodwater pours through NYC subway station ceiling as a severe storm hit the Big Apple
