David Huerta | |
|---|---|
| Born | Los Angeles County, California, U.S. |
| Known for | Arrest during June 2025 Los Angeles protests |
David Huerta is an American trade union leader who is President of the Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW).
David Huerta was born and raised in Los Angeles County. He started his career as an organizer with Justice for Janitors and helped organize for better wages in Los Angeles County in the 1990s. He worked for the Service Employees International Union and became the SEIU Workers West president in 2014. [1] He was noted by the Barack Obama administration as a "champion of change" for his efforts to "promote citizenship in the workplace." [2]
In 2022, Huerta became the president of SEIU California, the union's second largest state affiliate. [3]
On June 6, 2025, during an ICE raid, Huerta was injured and arrested, charged with felony conspiracy to impede an officer. [4] [5]
U.S. senators for California Adam Schiff, who was present at the bond hearing, [6] and Alex Padilla, along with Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, have petitioned for his release and demanded a review of his arrest. [7] [8] California Governor Gavin Newsom also criticized Huerta's arrest, saying, "David Huerta is a respected leader, a patriot, and an advocate for working people. No one should ever be harmed for witnessing government action." [8]
Huerta was released from custody on June 9, 2025, following a hearing in federal court. [9] On July 7 he is scheduled to appear for his arraignment and remain 100 yards away from federal law enforcement officers. [10]
Huerta is married with two children. [1]