ICE agents detain Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Chávez, who is being processed for 'expedited removal from the United States."
The DHS added that the 39-year-old former middleweight champion has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for being involved in organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunition and explosives.
Chavez Jr. is the son of legendary world champion and Hall of Fame fighter Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.
Chavez Jr. says ICE immigration raids 'scared me'
Chavez trained in Los Angeles before the fight against Paul and addressed the immigration raids that triggered protests in the city's downtown.
"It even scared me, to tell you the truth, it is very ugly,' he told the Los Angeles Times for a story published June 23. 'I don't understand the situation, why so much violence. There are many good people and you are setting an example of violence to the community.'
He also addressed federal agents wearing masks and not identifying themselves while targeting workers who appeared to be immigrants, according to the Los Angeles Times.
'Seeing children left alone because their parents are grabbed,'' Chavez said. '... That is common sense, we are people and we are going to feel bad when we see that situation.''
Feds: Chavez was affiliated with Sinaloa Cartel
On April 2, 2024, Chavez filed an application for Lawful Permanent Resident status. Chavez's application was based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen, who is connected to the Sinaloa Cartel through a prior relationship with the now-deceased son of the infamous cartel leader Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman.
On Dec. 17, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services made a referral to ICE that Chavez is an egregious public safety threat. However, an entry in a DHS law enforcement system under the Biden administration indicated Chavez was not an immigration enforcement priority.
On Jan. 4, 2025, the Biden administration allowed Chavez to re-enter the country and paroled him into the country at the San Ysidro port of entry.
Following multiple fraudulent statements on his application to become a Lawful Permanent Resident, he was determined to be in the country illegally and removable on June 27, 2025.
DHS: Chavez was 'public safety threat'
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, in an Department of Homeland Security statement, said Chavez's fame didn't save him for an immigration arrest.
'This Sinaloa Cartel affiliate with an active arrest warrant for trafficking guns, ammunition, and explosives was arrested by ICE. 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," McLaughlin said. '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.'
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. boxing career
Chavez Jr. turned pro at the age of 17 in 2003 and his team took things slow for him as he built a 43-0-1 record leading into his WBC middleweight fight with Sebastian Zbik in 2011.
Chavez Jr., won that fight, made three title defenses, including a TKO win vs. the very talented Irish fighter Andy Lee at El Paso's Sun Bowl in 2012.
He lost his middleweight crown to Sergio Martinez on Sept. 15, 2012 and never won a world title again.
He defeated Marcos Reyes in El Paso on July 18, 2015 at the Don Haskins Center in a fight televised on Showtime.
Chavez Jr. lost via 10-round decision to Paul by scores of 99-91, 97-93, 98-92. His career records now stands at 54-7-1.
USA TODAY contributed to this report.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
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