David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California, has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge following his arrest during an immigration protest in Los Angeles earlier this year. The incident occurred on June 6 when Huerta joined demonstrators outside a business where federal agents were investigating alleged immigration violations.
Initially, Huerta faced a felony charge of obstruction, resistance or opposition to a federal officer. However, last month federal prosecutors dismissed the original felony charge of conspiracy to impede an officer. On Tuesday, Huerta entered a not guilty plea to misdemeanor obstruction of justice. His trial is set for January 20, 2026, according to the Los Angeles Times.
A special agent with Homeland Security Investigations stated in a court filing that during the protest, Huerta sat in front of a vehicular gate and encouraged others to walk in circles to block law enforcement access. When an officer instructed him to leave and attempted to move him out of the way, Huerta allegedly pushed back before being pushed to the ground and arrested.
Huerta leads SEIU California, which represents hundreds of thousands of janitors, security officers and other workers throughout the state. His arrest has drawn national attention from immigrant advocates who have called for his release and protested against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
