Boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents just days after his recent boxing match against Jake Paul. He is now facing deportation proceedings from the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Chavez`s detention and announced the news on Thursday.
Authorities state that Chavez, a citizen of Mexico, is subject to an active arrest warrant in his home country for his alleged involvement in organized crime and the trafficking of firearms, ammunition, and explosives. According to a DHS press release concerning the arrest, the boxer is also believed to be an affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel, which is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
His arrest took place on July 2 in California.
DHS disclosed that Chavez applied for permanent resident status in April 2024. This application was based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen who reportedly has connections to the Sinaloa Cartel through a previous relationship with the now-deceased son of notorious cartel figure Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. While U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services identified Chavez as a significant public safety threat in December 2025 and referred his case to ICE, the previous administration under President Joe Biden had reportedly not listed him as an immigration enforcement priority.
Despite having been permitted to re-enter the United States in January 2025, ICE arrested Chavez after discovering multiple fraudulent statements on his application for Lawful Permanent Resident status. Consequently, he was determined to be illegally present in the country and subject to removal as of June 27, 2025.
Steps are currently being taken to expedite his removal process from the U.S.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented on the arrest, expressing surprise that the prior administration, despite recognizing Chavez as a public safety threat, chose not to prioritize his removal and allowed him to depart and subsequently return to the country. She asserted, “Under President [Donald] Trump, no one is above the law—including world-famous athletes.” She also delivered a strong message to any cartel affiliates residing in the U.S.: “We will find you and you will face consequences. The days of unchecked cartel violence are over.”
Before his recent arrest, Chavez suffered a unanimous decision defeat against Jake Paul in Anaheim last Saturday. He currently remains in custody as he awaits deportation back to Mexico.
