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The Federal Unionists Network (FUN), a national alliance of federal workers committed to equity, justice, and democratic governance, strongly condemns the detention of SEIU California President David Huerta and demands his immediate and unconditional release.
We stand in solidarity with Mr. Huerta, a widely respected labor leader who was lawfully observing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Los Angeles on June 6 when he was violently detained by federal agents. Reports indicate he sustained injuries and remains in custody, despite posing no threat and engaging in constitutionally protected activity.
“As federal employees—many of whom are immigrants or serve immigrant communities—we are outraged by this aggressive and unlawful action,” said Paul Osadebe, a civil rights attorney with Housing and Urban Development, member of AFGE, and organizer with the FUN. “Mr. Huerta was exercising his rights as a citizen and union leader doing exactly what unionists do: practicing solidarity and defending workers’ rights, defending civil liberties, and holding public agencies accountable.”
As David Huerta himself stated, “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”
His detention is not an isolated event. It reflects a broader and deeply troubling trend: the misuse of federal authority and federal properties to target, intimidate, and repress immigrant communities and their advocates. Across the country, federal facilities have become sites of unchecked enforcement, surveillance, and violence—without oversight or adherence to constitutional norms. As federal workers, we must bring particular attention to this abuse.
“Federal workers took an oath to defend the constitution. Trump and his administration are falsely making community members into enemies in their ongoing power grab of our democracy, when in fact, they are the domestic enemies we swore to defend the constitution against,” said Drew Curtis, an organizer with the FUN, who serves as a community engagement coordinator at the Environmental Protection Agency and is a member of AFGE Local 3911. “We don’t just swear an oath when it’s easy, we do it when it’s hard, and now is one of those times. We stand by our commitment to protect and defend the most vulnerable in our communities.”
This erosion of public trust in federal institutions is unacceptable. The Federal Unionists Network was formed to defend a democratic and equitable federal government—one that operates transparently, upholds public service, and protects human rights.
We therefore call on:
ICE and the Department of Homeland Security to release David Huerta immediately and drop all charges.
Congress to condemn this action and investigate patterns of abuse occurring on federal properties, particularly those targeting immigrant and working-class communities.
Unionists and allies everywhere to stand in solidarity with vulnerable communities.
The Federal Unionists Network will continue to mobilize across agencies and regions until David Huerta is free and until the federal government is realigned with the principles of justice, accountability, and democracy.
Join us Saturday, June 14, for the “No Kings” mass protest and actions across the country. We’re standing together against the abuses of power, cruelty, and corruption to remind President Trump and his enablers: America has No King! Find a location near you, and RSVP!
ABOUT THE FEDERAL UNIONISTS NETWORK
ABOUT THE FEDERAL UNIONISTS NETWORK
The Federal Unionists Network is a growing movement of federal workers and local union leaders standing up against illegal attacks on civil servants and defending the public services that millions of Americans rely on.
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📞 Anna 323-770-4477
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