Pro boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. arrested by ICE over cartel ties 4 days after sparring with Jake Paul

High-profile Mexican boxer and illegal immigrant, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., has been detained and is in the process of expedited removal from the United States, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Thursday.

Chavez was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement due to his illegal citizenship status and an outstanding arrest warrant in Mexico.

Pro boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. arrested by ICE

Chavez is a Mexican citizen with an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunition, and explosives.

In a boxing match four days ago, Chavez lost to Jake Paul by unanimous decision in a 10-round cruiserweight fight.

Chavez entered the U.S. legally in August 2023 with a B2 tourist visa that was valid until February 2024 and has since expired.

The DHS noted that Chavez is believed to have an affiliation with the Sinaloa Cartel, a foreign terrorist organization, and was arrested in Studio City, California, on July 2.

Chavez filed an application for lawful permanent resident status in April 2024, citing his marriage to a U.S. citizen. However, the citizen had a connection to the Sinaloa Cartel with a prior relationship to the deceased son of the infamous cartel leader, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) made a referral to ICE that Chavez poses an egregious public safety threat on December 17, 2024. However, under the Biden administration, a DHS data entry indicated that Chavez was not deemed an immigration enforcement priority.

The Biden administration allowed Chavez to reenter the U.S. and paroled him into the country at the San Ysidro port of entry on Jan. 4.

“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,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin wrote.

After various fraudulent statements on his application to become a Lawful Permanent Resident, Chavez was determined to be in the country illegally and removable on June 27, 2025.

“Under President Trump, no one is above the law — including world-famous athletes,” McLaughlin said. “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 Cesar Chavez Jr.’s criminal history

California Highway Patrol arrested Chavez under suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) in January 2012. He was convicted in June 2012 for DUI and driving without a license. Chavez was sentenced to 13 days in jail and 36 months’ probation.

A district judge issued an arrest warrant for Chavez in January 2023, claiming Chavez trafficked weapons and committed manufacturing crimes. According to the DHS, Chavez brought weapons, ammunition, cartridges, and explosives into the U.S. Additionally, Chavez manufactured weapons, ammunition, cartridges, and explosives without the corresponding permits.

The Los Angeles Police Department arrested Chavez in January 2024, and charged him with illegal possession of an assault weapon and manufacture or import of a short-barreled rifle. Chavez was convicted on both charges.

President Donald Trump designated the Sinaloa Cartel as a foreign terrorist organization on his first day in office of his second term.

“The Sinaloa Cartel has also played a major role in the trafficking of fentanyl across the U.S.-Mexico border,” the DHS wrote. “President Trump and Secretary Noem will not allow vicious cartels to operate on American soil.”

Follow Jason Sutich on X. Send news tips here.