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Boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. arrested, DHS alleges ties to Mexican cartel

Lauren Keenan (Anchor/Reporter)
DHS officials accuse the 39-year-old son of legendary boxing icon Julio César Chávez Sr. of being involved with the Sinaloa Cartel.
Image credit: Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images
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Summary

DHS arrests famous Mexican boxer

Julio César Chávez Jr. was arrested by DHS and faces expedited removal for alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel.

Allegations

Officials say he submitted a fraudulent residency application and reentered the U.S. illegally in January.

Prior criminal convictions

He has prior convictions and an active arrest warrant in Mexico for organized crime and weapons trafficking.

Full story

Immigration authorities have arrested Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. for allegedly lying on an application to become a permanent U.S. resident. Authorities are processing him for expedited removal proceedings, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

DHS officials also accuse the 39-year-old son of legendary boxing icon Julio César Chávez Sr. of being involved with the Sinaloa Cartel. The agency says the boxer has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his alleged involvement in organized crime and trafficking of guns, ammunition and explosives.

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Entry and fraud allegations

DHS says Chávez Jr. entered the United States legally with a B2 tourist visa, which was valid until February 2024. Authorities also allege Chávez submitted a fraudulent application to become a lawful permanent resident in April 2024, and that his spouse, who is a U.S. citizen, is connected to the Sinaloa Cartel.

DHS says Chávez then reentered the U.S. in January 2025, while former President Joe Biden was still in office. He was then deemed removable on Friday, June 27, under the Trump administration, due to fraud in his residency application.

Trump administration comments

“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,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

Criminal history

According to DHS, Chávez Jr. has committed several crimes:

  • January 2012: California Highway Patrol arrested him for DUI and driving without a license. He was convicted in June 2012 and sentenced to 13 days in jail and 36 months of probation.
  • January 2023: A judge issued a warrant for his arrest for organized crime.
  • January 2024: Los Angeles police arrested him and charged him with illegal possession of a firearm. He was convicted of these charges.

ICE and DHS criticize previous handling

“This Sinaloa Cartel affiliate with an active arrest warrant for trafficking guns, ammunition and explosives was arrested by ICE,” McLaughlin said.  “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.”

Recent arrest follows high-profile fight

Chávez was arrested on Wednesday, June 2, four days after losing a boxing match to Jake Paul in Anaheim, California.

Alex Delia (Managing Editor), Bast Bramhall (Video Editor), and Lawrence Banton (Digital Producer) contributed to this report.
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Why this story matters

The arrest of Julio César Chávez Jr. by U.S. immigration authorities over alleged cartel involvement and multiple criminal charges draws attention to the intersection of celebrity, crime, and cross-border law enforcement.

Immigration enforcement

The case highlights the process and challenges of addressing alleged criminal activity and visa fraud involving high-profile individuals.

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Context corner

Julio César Chávez Jr., son of a legendary Mexican boxer, is a public figure whose life has often been scrutinized. The Sinaloa Cartel, with which authorities claim he is affiliated, is a longstanding criminal organization heavily involved in the drug trade. U.S.-Mexico cooperation on extradition and anti-cartel efforts has intensified in recent years, shaping the context of these charges.

History lesson

The U.S. and Mexico have a long history of extraditing individuals facing organized crime charges. High-profile figures associated with or accused of cartel activity—such as Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán—have often faced similar processes. Recent years have seen increased bilateral focus on arms trafficking and cartel prosecution, reflecting broader efforts to address cross-border crime.

Policy impact

The deportation of a notable figure underlines the impact of current U.S. policies prioritizing expedited removal and the targeting of individuals deemed 'public safety threats.' It illustrates how immigration enforcement policies affect even high-profile entertainers and can serve as a warning to others about compliance with visa regulations and criminal investigations.

Sources

  1. U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  2. The Associated Press
  3. U.S. Department of Homeland Security via X

Bias comparison

  • Media outlets on the left emphasize the arrest of Julio César Chávez Jr. by ICE as symptomatic of inconsistent immigration enforcement under the Biden administration, often highlighting the human and cartel-related public safety aspects with phrasing such as “egregious public safety threat” and contextualizing his boxing career and personal struggles.
  • Media outlets in the center remain more measured and factual, uniquely incorporating Chávez Jr.’s lawyer’s denials of the allegations as “outrageous” and questioning the arrest’s political timing—an angle de-emphasized by both sides.
  • Media outlets on the right frame the same facts as a failure of Biden-era law enforcement, deploying harsher rhetoric like “criminal illegal alien” and emphasizing cartel ties and law-and-order triumphs under Trump, with emotionally charged language that underscores a zero-tolerance immigration stance.

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Media landscape

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Key points from the Left

  • Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents due to an active arrest warrant in Mexico for organized crime, firearms, ammunition, and explosives trafficking.
  • Chavez Jr. is considered a public safety threat and has been flagged for his alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel.
  • Chavez Jr. legally entered the U.S. In August 2023 on a tourist visa and is currently being processed for expedited removal due to multiple fraudulent statements in his residency application.

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Key points from the Center

No summary available because of a lack of coverage.

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Key points from the Right

  • Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on July 2, 2025, shortly after his fight with Jake Paul on June 28, 2025.
  • The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Chavez has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in organized crime.
  • Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized the previous administration for not treating Chavez as a priority despite being flagged as a public safety threat.
  • DHS announced that Chavez is facing expedited removal from the United States.

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Sources

  1. U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  2. The Associated Press
  3. U.S. Department of Homeland Security via X