Boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. arrested by ICE, to be deported to Mexico, officials say
Famed Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. has found himself in hot water once again, this time facing deportation to Mexico for entering the United States illegally. The news of his arrest comes shortly after his recent loss against Jake Paul in Anaheim, California.
Chávez, 39, was taken into custody by a large group of federal agents while riding a scooter in front of his home in Studio City. His attorney, Michael Goldstein, has called the allegations against Chávez outrageous and claims they are simply another attempt to create fear within the community.
The Department of Homeland Security revealed that Chávez had overstayed his tourist visa, which expired in February 2024. He initially entered the country in August 2023. Additionally, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services had flagged ICE about Chávez due to being considered a public safety threat. Despite this, he was allowed back into the country on January 4.
It was also disclosed that Chávez has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in organized crime, including trafficking firearms, ammunition, and explosives. He is believed to have ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, although Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office has yet to respond to inquiries about the charges.
Chávez had applied for a green card in April 2024 based on his marriage to Frida Muñoz, the former partner of Édgar Guzmán López, the deceased son of Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán. However, his application was flagged due to multiple fraudulent statements, leading to his arrest.
Throughout his tumultuous boxing career, Chávez has faced numerous challenges, including failed drug tests, suspensions, and weight management issues. Despite these setbacks, he has achieved success in the ring, winning the WBC middleweight title in 2011 and defending it three times.
Prior to his match against Paul, Chávez had undergone rehabilitation for drug addiction and claimed to be clean for the fight. He expressed concerns about the immigration arrests in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, stating that he did not understand the situation and did not want to be deported.
As Chávez navigates this latest legal hurdle, his future in both boxing and immigration remains uncertain. The community awaits further developments as the story unfolds.
