After a day of contention and little information about the nature of an immigration enforcement operation in Los Angeles, the Department of Homeland Security has finally released details about the joint operation conducted Friday morning.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) confirmed that it served four federal search warrants at three locations in L.A., alongside partner agencies, including the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration. KTLA has confirmed the locations were two clothing stores in downtown L.A. and a Home Depot in the Westlake District.
“Approximately 44 people were administratively arrested and one arrest for obstruction. The investigation remains ongoing, updates will follow as appropriate,” an HSI spokesperson said.
That single obstruction arrest was confirmed by US Attorney Bill Essayli as David Huerta, president of the California branch of the Service Employees International Union.
“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,” Essayli said on social media. “He was arrested for interfering with federal officers and will face arraignment in federal court on Monday.”
Essayli posted an image of the union leader handcuffed and placed in the back of a vehicle. Video of the purported incident that led to his arrest was also posted. It showed Huerta briefly standing near the front of an unmarked white SUV that was used in the operation before being pushed out of the way by a federal agent.
He is seen falling to the ground with several agents around him before he is presumably taken into custody while protesters and agents exchange shoves.
The arrest of Huerta, who union members said was also injured, was condemned by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who called Huerta a “respected leader, a patriot, and an advocate for working people.”
“No one should ever be harmed for witnessing government action,” Newsom added.
In a news release issued Friday evening, SEIU California said Huerta was treated at a local hospital for injuries he suffered during his arrest, but currently remains in federal custody.
He made the following statement through the union:
“What happened to me is not about me; This is about something much bigger. 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. This is injustice. And we all have to stand on the right side of justice.”
SEIU is a union that represents social workers, nurses, state workers, janitors, doctors and security officers, among other positions. Boasting a membership of more than 750,000 members, the union promised to push back against ICE and the federal agencies that took Huerta into custody for “peacefully observing.”
In a post on the social media platform X, SEIU California wrote: “ICE picked the wrong side. The wrong state. The wrong person. and the wrong union. David Huerta stood up. And 750,000 SEIU workers are standing with him.”
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