Federal charges against Alejandro Orellana, a well-known Los Angeles immigration activist, were dropped on July 30, 2025. This move ends weeks of public protests and legal uncertainty for Orellana, who was arrested after distributing face shields at an anti-ICE protest in downtown Los Angeles.
On July 29, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice asked the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to dismiss all federal charges against Orellana. The next day, Judge Serena Murillo officially dismissed the indictment “without prejudice.” This means the government could technically bring charges again, but experts say this is unlikely given the strong public response and lack of comment from prosecutors.
Alejandro Orellana, age 29, was arrested by FBI agents on June 12, 2025. He faced felony charges of conspiracy and aiding civil disorder for giving out protective face shields to demonstrators during a protest against ICE on June 9. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has not explained why the charges were dropped, and a spokesperson declined to comment.
Orellana’s arrest drew quick and strong criticism from immigrant rights groups, including Centro CSO, which called the prosecution “political repression.” They argued that the charges were meant to scare activists and stop them from speaking out. The case happened during a time of increased federal immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, with more ICE raids and pressure on local police to work with federal agents.
Orellana distributed face shields at an anti-ICE protest
Orellana was arrested by FBI agents
U.S. Department of Justice requested dismissal of charges
Judge dismissed the indictment ‘without prejudice’
Centro CSO held a press conference to celebrate dismissal
Community groups responded with rallies, press conferences, and a campaign demanding Orellana’s release. Centro CSO, rooted in Los Angeles’ Chicano organizing tradition, celebrated the dismissal as a win for community action and promised to keep fighting federal repression. “This is a victory for everyone who stood up for justice,” said a Centro CSO spokesperson.
Mayor Karen Bass responded by issuing an executive directive to strengthen city protections against federal immigration enforcement. The city also started legal action against the federal government, saying recent raids were reckless and unconstitutional. Legal experts and advocacy groups say Orellana’s case shows bigger problems with due process and the risk of political targeting in immigrant communities.
The dismissal is seen as a rare win for activists during a time of tougher federal enforcement, more ICE raids, and new immigration laws that make it harder for immigrants to get legal help. Recent federal changes have increased funding for enforcement, raised application fees, and cut access to humanitarian protections. This has made life harder for many immigrant families in California.
Orellana’s charges were dismissed “without prejudice,” so the government could refile, but this is not expected. His bond was released, and he faces no more federal restrictions. Centro CSO held a press conference at Mariachi Plaza on July 30 to celebrate and plan next steps.
Experts and advocates now call for more oversight of federal law enforcement. The American Immigration Council and others want fairer policies that protect due process and keep families together. Community leaders warn that, despite this win, the environment remains tough for undocumented and mixed-status families.
For official information on immigration enforcement and rights, readers can visit the U.S. Department of Justice’s immigration page. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the Alejandro Orellana case highlights the ongoing struggle between federal enforcement and local resistance in Los Angeles.
Learn Today
Federal charges → Criminal accusations brought by the U.S. government for violating federal laws.
Conspiracy → An agreement between two or more persons to commit a criminal act.
Aiding civil disorder → Helping to promote or participate in unlawful disruption or protests.
Dismissed without prejudice → Legal case closure allowing the possibility of re-filing charges later.
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency handling immigration enforcement and investigations.
This Article in a Nutshell
Federal charges against activist Alejandro Orellana were dropped on July 30, 2025, ending weeks of protests and legal battles. Arrested in June for distributing face shields at an anti-ICE protest, the dismissal signals community resistance triumphing over harsh federal immigration enforcement in Los Angeles.
— By VisaVerge.com
