Full Breakdown
Federal Prosecutors Move to Dismiss Charges Against SEIU Leader David Huerta
7/28/2026, 3:37:02 PM
The Dismissal Motion
On Monday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles filed a motion to dismiss the indictment against David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West. Huerta was arrested on June 6, 2025 while documenting an immigration raid at a downtown Los Angeles clothing wholesaler. He was initially charged with a felony count of conspiracy to impede a federal officer, a charge later reduced to a misdemeanor obstruction offense. A trial had been scheduled for the following month before the dismissal motion was entered.
Background to the Arrest
The arrest occurred during the first day of a series of immigration sweeps carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Trump administration. Protesters, including Huerta, gathered outside the gate of the workplace to document the operation. According to the criminal complaint, Huerta repeatedly positioned himself in front of a vehicle gate, preventing law-enforcement vehicles from entering or exiting. An officer’s affidavit describes a physical struggle that resulted in Huerta being handcuffed and taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center, where he spent three nights and sustained a head injury that required hospital treatment. The incident sparked nationwide rallies and prompted the president to deploy National Guard troops to Los Angeles.
Legal Trajectory and Statistics
Since the start of the administration’s immigration enforcement push, the Los Angeles U.S. Attorney’s Office has filed more than 100 cases against protesters. Data from June show 40 guilty pleas, 10 acquittals at trial, 2 convictions, and 29 dismissals. Huerta’s case follows a pattern in which many prosecutions have been reduced or dropped after initial aggressive charging.
Official Statements & Responses
The U.S.
Senators Adam Schiff, Alex Padilla, and Chuck Schumer sent letters to the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department demanding a review of the arrest, describing Huerta’s continued detention as “deeply troubling” for a U.S. citizen exercising his rights.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This means the government is finally admitting what we knew from day one and what was obvious to anyone who saw the videos: the charge against me was baseless, meant to intimidate anyone who dares to speak out, organize, or demand justice,” — David Huerta, SEIU west president
- “It has been the objective of my attorneys to defend me against an administration that has violated the very foundation of our civil rights as a society and country,” — David Huerta, SEIU west president
What’s Next
The agreement requires Huerta to remain compliant with his pre-trial release. If he does so, the Justice Department expects the criminal case to be fully dismissed by the end of next month, ending a legal battle that began with his June 2025 arrest.
