LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Department of Justice moved to dismiss charges against David Huerta, the president of SEIU-USWW California, following his arrest during a protest against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Los Angeles. The U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles filed a motion to dismiss the charges on a Monday, signaling a resolution to the federal case.

Prosecutors stated the case is expected to be fully dismissed if he continues to comply with the terms of his pretrial release. The office indicated that they expect the criminal case to be fully dismissed by the end of August, provided the union leader adheres to the agreed-upon conditions.

The legal proceedings stem from events on 6 June 2025, when he was arrested during a protest against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Los Angeles. The demonstration took place at Ambiance Apparel, where dozens of undocumented workers were arrested during the federal raid.

Authorities stated he sat down in front of a vehicular gate and encouraged others to walk in circles to prevent law enforcement from entering or exiting. A federal court filing stated an officer told him to leave and put his hands on him to move him, he pushed back, and the officer pushed him to the ground and arrested him.

He was initially charged with felony conspiracy to impede an officer, but prosecutors reduced the charge against him to a misdemeanor of obstruction, resistance, or opposition of a federal officer. The U.S. Attorney's Office stated he was charged with unlawfully interfering with the execution of a judicial search warrant. The misdemeanor charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of one year in federal prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the federal misdemeanor charges after his arrest. He was released on bond following the incident, and California Senator Adam Schiff attended his bond hearing to show support. The union leader was hospitalized after his arrest, and his arrest was partially caught on camera, providing visual documentation of the encounter.

He stated he was tackled and pepper-sprayed before being detained, a characterization that differs from the official account of the physical interaction. In a statement addressing the dismissal, he said, "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."

He added that "There was never a real case, only an attempt to punish and silence me for exercising my constitutional rights." He stated the case against him was part of a broader weaponization of the judicial system. He also said in a statement, "I will keep exercising my constitutional rights and protest every abuse this administration commits, and I will keep working to build a country that treats immigrant families and all workers with the dignity they deserve."

He stated he considered himself fortunate to have been only detained, considering the murders in Minneapolis, Houston, Miami, and the deplorable conditions at federal detention centers throughout the country. The union he leads, SEIU-USWW California, represents more than 750,000 members including janitors, security officers and other workers.

Ciaran McEvoy, a spokesperson for the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, said in a statement, "The Department of Justice does not arrest people for peacefully protesting." The U.S. Attorney's Office stated he has agreed to accept responsibility for his actions as part of the resolution.

His lawyers are Abbe David Lowell and Marilyn Bednarski. His lawyers said in a statement, "This case, like others, sought to silence criticism of the administration’s improper immigration actions." They added, "Today’s filing is proof that David and other critics will not be silenced." The motion to dismiss called for the case to be dismissed with prejudice, preventing the charges from being brought again.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized the federal government for targeting him during the period of legal uncertainty. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and California’s two Democratic senators wrote a letter to federal officials demanding answers regarding his arrest. Bill Essayli is the top U.S. prosecutor in Los Angeles, and he previously said, "if you impede federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted." A judge disqualified Bill Essayli from several cases in October because he stayed on as acting U.S. attorney longer than allowed by law.

David Huerta is Mexican poet, a detail that shows his background beyond his role as a labor organizer. PureSource News previously reported: San Mateo County Judge Dismisses All Charges Against Radiologist Patel, indicating a pattern of dismissals in high-profile local cases.

The dismissal of charges against a major union leader connects to broader debates over the limits of protest and federal enforcement actions. The case involved a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an agency whose operations frequently draw political and legal scrutiny. The involvement of senior elected officials, including senators and the mayor of Los Angeles, reflects the political stakes of the prosecution.

The resolution allows him to continue his work with SEIU-USWW California, which represents more than 750,000 workers. The expectation of a full dismissal by the end of August provides a timeline for the conclusion of a case that began in June 2025. The motion to dismiss with prejudice ensures that the legal matter is closed permanently, assuming compliance with release terms.