Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was taken into custody by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) just four days after his match against Jake Paul at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced his arrest, stating that Chavez is now going through a process for swift removal from the U.S. They also revealed that there’s an outstanding arrest warrant for him in Mexico related to his alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel.
According to the announcement on X, “On July 2nd, ICE arrested Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., a Mexican boxer and undocumented individual.” They continued, noting that he is being processed for rapid removal. The statement further alleged that Chavez is connected to organized crime activities and other serious offenses in Mexico.
DHS has emphasized that under prior leadership, no one, not even well-known athletes, could evade the law without consequences. “The message is clear: we will locate you, and you will face repercussions,” the statement highlighted.
Interestingly, Chavez had entered the U.S. legally on a B2 tourist visa in August 2023, which is still valid until February 2024. In April 2024, he applied for legal permanent residency; however, it was reportedly linked to marriage with a U.S. citizen associated with the Sinaloa cartel.
In December 2024, Chavez was classified as a “severe public safety threat” by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Agency after entry into the DHS law enforcement system under the Biden administration. Yet, DHS indicated he was not prioritized for immigration enforcement at that time. Chavez reportedly re-entered the U.S. through San Isidro in January but was later deemed undocumented after multiple inconsistencies in his residency application.
It’s worth noting that Chavez lost his recent fight against Paul, with judges declaring a unanimous victory for Paul after ten rounds. Chavez, a former WBC middleweight champion and son of the renowned boxer Julio Cesar Chavez, had a significant legacy, winning multiple world titles. Following his win, Paul secured a spot in the WBA cruiserweight rankings, being ranked 14th for the first time.
