Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Arrested by ICE

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., a prominent Mexican boxer, was arrested on Wednesday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is now undergoing fast-tracked removal from the United States, as stated in a press release from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Chavez is reportedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel and has an outstanding arrest warrant in Mexico related to his participation in organized crime, including human trafficking and illegal possession of weapons and explosives.

Although he entered the U.S. legally on a tourist visa in August 2023, that visa expired in February 2024. Chavez later sought permanent resident status based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen, who is the ex-wife of his late son.

The Biden administration permitted Chavez’s re-entry into the country earlier this January. Interestingly, a DHS official commented on the previous administration’s actions, expressing surprise that Chavez wasn’t prioritized for removal despite being flagged for serious violations.

In his criminal history, Chavez has faced multiple legal issues. He was convicted for driving offenses in 2012, received an arrest warrant for organized crime in 2023, and was apprehended in 2024 for illegally possessing weapons.

Once a World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion, Chavez lost to Jake Paul, a former Disney Channel star and YouTuber, in a highly publicized match.

DHS has remarked that the Sinaloa Cartel is deeply involved in serious crimes, including human trafficking and the fentanyl trade across the U.S.-Mexico border.