Philadelphia union members have joined a nationwide protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), demanding the release of David Huerta, a prominent labor leader arrested during a demonstration in Los Angeles.
Huerta, president of SEIU California and SEIU-USWW, was detained by federal agents while serving as a community observer during an ICE raid. He was later charged with conspiring to impede an officer and released on a $50,000 bond.
His arrest has sparked national outrage, with major unions including the SEIU, NEA, AFL-CIO, and AFSCME condemning the act as an attack on civil rights and immigrant communities.
Union leaders organized nationwide protests, calling for Huerta’s immediate release, an end to ICE raids, and the withdrawal of the California National Guard from protest suppression. Political leaders such as Governor Gavin Newsom and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also voiced support for Huerta.
Union representatives argue that Huerta’s arrest epitomizes broader injustices faced by immigrant and labor communities under the Trump administration, and they vow continued resistance and political action to defend rights and freedoms. Rallies took place in several major cities, signifying widespread union solidarity.
In Los Angeles, unrest has escalated, with hundreds protesting downtown, some clashing with police and facing riot control measures such as tear gas and rubber bullets. Over 150 arrests have been made in the city.
President Trump authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, bypassing Governor Gavin Newsom, who criticized the move as a violation of state sovereignty and is considering legal action.
Trump labeled protesters “insurrectionists,” as SEIU and activists continue to demand Huerta’s release and an end to aggressive immigration enforcement. Demonstrations are ongoing and expected to grow nationwide.
David Huerta’s arrest has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and civil rights in the United States.
As protests continue to spread across the country, union members and activists remain committed to advocating for the rights of immigrant communities and holding the government accountable for its actions.