Julio César Chávez Jr., a Mexican boxer who fought Jake Paul in a losing effort Saturday, was arrested Wednesday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Studio City, Calif., and is facing “expedited removal” from the United States, the Department of Homeland Security said in a release Thursday.
Chávez Jr., a Mexican citizen, “has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunition, and explosives,” according to the release.
DHS alleged that it believes Chávez Jr. is an “affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel” — which President Donald Trump’s administration designated as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” after taking office in January.
Julio César Chávez Jr. is pictured during a fight against Jake Paul on June 28. via REUTERS
Chávez Jr. applied to get lawful permanent resident status — given his marriage to a United States citizen — in April 2024, but that citizen was allegedly connected to the Sinaloa Cartel from a previous relationship to the late son of leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the DHS said in its release.
His B2 tourist visa, which he used to legally enter the U.S. in August 2023, expired in February 2024, and filed the application for lawful permanent resident two months later.
Julio César Chávez Jr. was arrested Wednesday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Studio City, Calif. Department of Homeland Security But in December, ICE was notified that Chávez Jr. was an “egregious public safety threat.”
The administration of former President Joe Biden determined Chávez Jr. — the son of the famous Mexican boxer — “was not an immigration enforcement priority” and he was allowed back into the U.S. on Jan. 4, according to the DHS release.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. reacts as he walks to the ring for his fight against Jake Paul during a Cruiserweight fight at Honda Center on June 28, 2025 in Anaheim, California Getty Images
Julio Cesar Chavez reacts during a fight against Jake Paul on June 28. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThe DHS alleged that Chávez Jr. made “multiple fraudulent statements” on his application in April.
Chávez Jr.’s manager, Sean Gibbons, told the Los Angeles Times they were “working on a few issues,” and Michael Goldstein, his attorney, said that Chávez Jr. was detained by ICE agents while on a scooter by his Studio City home, according to the Associated Press.
He’ll appear in court Monday, the AP reported.
Paul defeated Chávez Jr. by unanimous decision Saturday in Chávez Jr.’s second fight since 2021.
“I thought I lost the first five rounds, so I tried to win the last rounds,” Chávez told reporters Saturday following the bout. “He’s strong, a good boxer [for] the first three, four rounds. After that, I felt he was tired. I don’t think he’s ready for the champions, but he’s a good fighter.”
