Julio César Chávez Jr. was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Wednesday and is facing deportation to Mexico for overstaying his visa and lying on a green card application.
The arrest came just days after Chávez faced off against boxer and influencer Jake Paul in Anaheim, California. Chávez lost the match.
Chávez, a Mexican citizen, has committed numerous crimes while staying in the United States and has apparent ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. He&#8217;s facing organized crime charges in Mexico.
“This Sinaloa Cartel affiliate with an active arrest warrant for trafficking guns, ammunition, and explosives was arrested by ICE,&#8221; Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.
McLaughlin noted that Chávez was allowed re-entry into the United States under the Biden administration and emphasized that under President Donald Trump, cartel affiliates will not be allowed to remain in the country.
&#8220;It is shocking the previous administration flagged this criminal illegal alien as a public safety threat, but chose to not prioritize his removal and let him leave and COME BACK into our country,” she said. “Under President Trump, no one is above the law — including world-famous athletes.&#8221;
&#8220;Our message to any cartel affiliates in the U.S. is clear: We will find you and you will face consequences,&#8221; McLaughlin added. &#8220;The days of unchecked cartel violence are over.”
Homeland Security <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/07/03/dhs-announces-ice-arrest-mexican-boxer-sinaloa-cartel-affiliate-active-criminal">said</a> in a press release that Chávez is being processed for &#8220;expedited removal from the United States.&#8221; The boxer has an &#8220;active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunition, and explosives,&#8221; the department added.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Friday that she hopes Chávez &#8220;will be deported and serve the sentence in Mexico.&#8221;
Chávez&#8217;s B2 tourist visa expired in February 2024. Two months later, he filed an application for Lawful Permanent Resident status, based on his marriage to an American citizen, who is connected to the Sinaloa Cartel.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in December 2024 made a referral to ICE that Chávez is an &#8220;egregious public safety threat.&#8221; However, he was still allowed reentry and was paroled into the U.S. under the Biden administration.
Homeland Security said it determined on June 27 that Chávez was &#8220;in the country illegally and removable,&#8221; following multiple fraudulent statements on his application to become a Lawful Permanent Resident.
The department noted the following from Chávez&#8217;s rap sheet:
<ul>
<li>On January 22, 2012, California Highway Patrol arrested Chavez and charged him with DUI alcohol/drugs and Driving Without a License. On June 23, 2012, the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, convicted Chavez for the offense of driving under the influence of alcohol and sentenced him to 13 days in jail and 36 months’ probation.</li>
<li>On January 14, 2023, a District Judge issued an arrest warrant for Chavez, for the offense of organized crime for the purpose of committing crimes of weapons trafficking and manufacturing crimes, in the modality of those who participate in clandestinely bringing weapons, ammunition, cartridges, explosives into the country; and those who manufacture weapons, ammunition, cartridges, and explosives without the corresponding permit.</li>
<li>On January 7, 2024, the Los Angeles Police Department arrested Chavez and charged him with Illegal Possession of Any Assault Weapon and Manufacture or Import Short Barreled Rifle. The court convicted Chavez of these charges.</li>
</ul>

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A Mexican Boxer Is In ICE Custody After Jake Paul Fight. His Rap Sheet Is Crazy.