Mexican Boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. Arrested by ICE and Faces Deportation

Julio César Chávez Jr., a well-known Mexican boxer, has been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is now facing deportation. The Department of Homeland Security announced his arrest, citing his illegal presence in the U.S. and his involvement with the Sinaloa Cartel, a notorious Mexican crime syndicate. This article delves into the details of his arrest, the charges against him, and the implications of his case.

Julio César Chávez Jr., 39, was arrested by ICE on charges of being in the U.S. illegally. According to authorities, Chávez entered the U.S. legally in August 2023 on a B2 tourist visa, which expired in February 2024. He later applied for Lawful Permanent Resident status in April 2024 based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen. However, his application was scrutinized, and it was determined that he had made multiple fraudulent statements. As a result, he was deemed to be in the U.S. illegally and was deemed removable on June 27, 2025.

Chávez is accused of being affiliated with the Sinaloa Cartel, which is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. government. His spouse’s connection to the cartel through a prior relationship with the now-deceased son of cartel leader Joaquin Guzman has also come under investigation. Chávez is alleged to have been involved in the trafficking of firearms, ammunition, and explosives. In Mexico, he has an active arrest warrant for his involvement in organized crime.

Chávez has a history of legal issues. In January 2023, he was arrested on charges of “organized crime for the purpose of committing crimes of weapons trafficking and manufacturing crimes.” In January 2024, he was arrested and convicted for “Illegal Possession of Any Assault Weapon and Manufacture or Import Short Barreled Rifle.” Additionally, in 2012, he was arrested and convicted on charges of DUI and driving without a license.

Despite the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) referring Chávez as an “egregious public safety threat” in December 2024, he was allowed to reenter the country on January 4, 2025. This decision was reportedly due to the Biden Administration not prioritizing him for immigration enforcement. However, following the determination of his illegal status and fraudulent statements, ICE took action to arrest him.

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement emphasizing that no one, including world-famous athletes, is above the law. The statement read, “Under President Trump, no one is above the law — including world-famous athletes. Our message to any cartel affiliates in the U.S. is clear: We will find you and you will face consequences. The days of unchecked cartel violence are over.”

Julio César Chávez Jr. is the son of former three-division world champion of boxing César Chávez and the older brother of Omar Chávez. He held the WBC’s middleweight title from 2011 to 2012 and has an all-time record of 54-7-1. His arrest came just days after his most recent match, a loss to Jake Paul at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

The Sinaloa Cartel, based in Chávez’s native region of Sinaloa, Mexico, is one of the most notorious crime syndicates in the country. The U.S. and Canadian governments have designated it as a terrorist organization. The cartel is accused of trafficking drugs, including fentanyl, through the Southern Border and has been linked to the kidnapping, torture, and murder of American citizens.

Q: What is the current status of Julio César Chávez Jr.? A: As of the latest reports, Julio César Chávez Jr. has been arrested by ICE and is facing deportation due to his illegal presence in the U.S. and his involvement with the Sinaloa Cartel.

Q: What are the specific charges against Chávez? A: Chávez is charged with being in the U.S. illegally and is accused of involvement in organized crime, including the trafficking of firearms, ammunition, and explosives. He also has previous convictions for weapons-related crimes and DUI.

Q: How did Chávez enter the U.S.? A: Chávez entered the U.S. legally in August 2023 on a B2 tourist visa, which expired in February 2024. He later applied for Lawful Permanent Resident status based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen but was found to have made fraudulent statements on his application.

Q: What is the Sinaloa Cartel? A: The Sinaloa Cartel is a notorious Mexican crime syndicate based in the state of Sinaloa. It is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. government and is accused of drug trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and murder.

Q: What is the significance of this arrest? A: The arrest of Julio César Chávez Jr. is significant as it demonstrates the U.S. government’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and combating organized crime, even when it involves high-profile individuals.

The arrest of Julio César Chávez Jr. by ICE and the subsequent charges against him highlight the ongoing efforts to combat organized crime and enforce immigration laws in the U.S. As a high-profile individual with a history of legal troubles and alleged cartel involvement, Chávez’s case underscores the message that no one is above the law. The implications of his arrest extend beyond his personal situation, serving as a reminder of the broader challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing transnational crime and illegal immigration.