US arrests, seeks to deport Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Chavez was determined to be in the country illegally last week after he made fraudulent statements on a 2024 application for permanent residence. He is married to a US citizen, it said.
Michael Goldstein, a lawyer for Chavez, said more than two dozen immigration agents arrested the boxer at his home in the Studio City area of Los Angeles on Wednesday.
"The current allegations are outrageous and appear to be designed as a headline to terrorize the community," Goldstein said.
Homeland Security said that the 39-year-old boxer, son of Mexican world champion fighter Julio Cesar Chavez, is suspected of ties to Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, which Washington has designated a foreign terrorist organization.
His wife, Frida Munoz Chavez, was previously married to the son of former Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who is serving a life sentence in a US prison. The son, Edgar, was assassinated in 2008.
Chavez is the target of a Mexican arrest warrant on allegations of involvement in organized crime and firearms trafficking, DHS said.
In Mexico, Chavez' family said in a statement they "fully trust in his innocence."
Chavez lost to influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul, 28, last weekend before a sold-out crowd in Anaheim, California, in a unanimous decision after 10 rounds.
He was allowed to enter the US temporarily in early January under former President Joe Biden, DHS said. He had previously overstayed a tourist visa, it said.
The agency said Chavez was convicted in Los Angeles in 2024 on weapons charges. Goldstein denied he was convicted, saying he pleaded not guilty and was granted mental health diversion which will result in dismissal of the charges.
Chavez won the WBC middleweight championship in 2011, but lost the title the next year.
His career has been overshadowed by controversies including a suspension after testing positive for a banned substance in 2009 and a fine and suspension after testing positive for marijuana in 2013.
His record stands at 54 wins, six losses and one draw, with 34 knockouts.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Dubai Eye
8 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
US arrests, seeks to deport Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr
US immigration authorities have arrested Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in Los Angeles and plan to deport him, just days after he lost a high-profile match to American rival Jake Paul. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Chavez was determined to be in the country illegally last week after he made fraudulent statements on a 2024 application for permanent residence. He is married to a US citizen, it said. Michael Goldstein, a lawyer for Chavez, said more than two dozen immigration agents arrested the boxer at his home in the Studio City area of Los Angeles on Wednesday. "The current allegations are outrageous and appear to be designed as a headline to terrorize the community," Goldstein said. Homeland Security said that the 39-year-old boxer, son of Mexican world champion fighter Julio Cesar Chavez, is suspected of ties to Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, which Washington has designated a foreign terrorist organization. His wife, Frida Munoz Chavez, was previously married to the son of former Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who is serving a life sentence in a US prison. The son, Edgar, was assassinated in 2008. Chavez is the target of a Mexican arrest warrant on allegations of involvement in organized crime and firearms trafficking, DHS said. In Mexico, Chavez' family said in a statement they "fully trust in his innocence." Chavez lost to influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul, 28, last weekend before a sold-out crowd in Anaheim, California, in a unanimous decision after 10 rounds. He was allowed to enter the US temporarily in early January under former President Joe Biden, DHS said. He had previously overstayed a tourist visa, it said. The agency said Chavez was convicted in Los Angeles in 2024 on weapons charges. Goldstein denied he was convicted, saying he pleaded not guilty and was granted mental health diversion which will result in dismissal of the charges. Chavez won the WBC middleweight championship in 2011, but lost the title the next year. His career has been overshadowed by controversies including a suspension after testing positive for a banned substance in 2009 and a fine and suspension after testing positive for marijuana in 2013. His record stands at 54 wins, six losses and one draw, with 34 knockouts.
Dubai Eye
8 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
Trump celebrates tax bill victory at Iowa fairground rally
US President Donald Trump celebrated the passage of his massive tax-cut and border security bill among supporters at the Iowa State Fairground on Thursday. Trump flew to the state, which voted for him by large margins during the last three presidential elections, directly after the US House of Representatives passed his 'big, beautiful bill' and sent it to his desk to be enacted into law. 'Every major promise I made to the people of Iowa in 2024 became a promise kept,' Trump told the crowd of thousands at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. By visiting the state Trump was reinforcing his image as a president who delivers on his promises, especially to his rural and conservative base. Trump said he will sign the bill at a White House ceremony on Friday, the Independence Day holiday in the United States and the deadline he had set for Congress to approve the mammoth piece of legislation. The measure will give Trump billions of dollars to press forward with his domestic agenda, ramping up migrant deportations and cutting taxes while rolling back health benefits and food assistance. 'This bill includes the largest tax cut in American history, the largest spending cut in American history, the largest border security investment in American history,' Trump said. The package will add $3.4 trillion to the nation's $36.2 trillion debt, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. The passage of the bill marked weeks of trials by Trump and his allies in Congress to convince skeptical Republicans to push through the bill on a rapid timetable. It was part of a string of victories for Trump in recent days, including convincing Iran and Israel to agree to a ceasefire after the United States struck Iran's nuclear sites last month. Trump criticised Democrats in Congress for voting against the measure, which passed on party-line votes in both chambers. He attributed that to Democrats hating him. 'But I hate them too," he said. Trump said the vote will make for campaign fodder during next year's midterm elections, when control of Congress will be at stake. Some Republicans worry that deep cuts to the Medicaid health program in the bill will hurt the party's prospects in the 2026 midterm elections. The president said the bill will bolster his already aggressive immigration enforcement and deportation efforts but again pledged to work with farms and hotels concerned about a thinning labor force. Trump's trade policies have whipsawed agricultural communities in Iowa, creating economic uncertainty and testing loyalties. Iowa farmers have been hit hard, especially with China's retaliatory tariffs slashing soybean exports and prices.
Middle East Eye
a day ago
- Middle East Eye
Video of US contractors cheering after firing at Gaza civilians ignites fury online
A new Associated Press (AP) report detailing how American contractors guarding aid distribution sites used live ammunition, stun grenades and pepper spray against starving Palestinians seeking food has sparked fierce criticism online. Published on 2 July, the article is based on testimonies from two American contractors, videos, internal messages and forensic audio analysis. Both whistleblowers said they came forward due to what they described as 'dangerous and irresponsible practices' at sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the controversial US- and Israel-backed organisation operating in the besieged enclave. Online reaction to the report was swift, with hundreds of people slamming the private military contractors and the distribution hubs. 'US mercenary criminal-thugs… GHF and the gang are killing machines in 'humanitarian' clothing', wrote one X user. Another X user called the operation a 'sham' masking a 'ruthless agenda'. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters A few people quoted the news agency's description of the audio from one video: 'At that moment, bursts of gunfire erupt close by, at least 15 shots. 'Whoo! Whoo!' one contractor yelps. 'I think you hit one', one says. Then comes a shout: 'Hell, yeah, boy!' While the clip does not show who was shooting, or where the shots were aimed, the contractor speaking to AP said their colleague was shooting in the direction of Palestinians at the aid point, and that they saw a man in that direction drop to the ground. At that moment, bursts of gunfire erupt close by, at least 15 shots. 'Whoo! Whoo!' one contractor yelps. 'I think you hit one,' one says. Then comes a shout: 'Hell, yeah, boy!' — Adil Haque (@AdHaque110) July 2, 2025 While some users praised the news agency for the report, others expressed frustration with its timing, which they same came too late. 'Yeah thanks AP, five weeks later and 600 people dead later #breakingnews', one user posted. Another said: 'Palestinians have been telling you this is happening for weeks... Maybe you should start believing the victims of genocide over the ones committing it.' 'When are you going to do something?' Middle East Eye has reported on Israeli forces targeting Palestinian aid seekers since the GHF began operations in late May. At least 600 Palestinians have been killed so far, and thousands more injured. Eyewitnesses have described the incidents as 'ambushes' carried out by the Israeli military. Israeli troops have admitted to deliberately firing on unarmed Palestinians at the food distribution points, following direct orders from their superiors, according to a Haaretz report published last week. A GHF subcontractor speaking to the AP denied that serious injuries had occurred at any of the aid sites. Video from Associated Press showing American contractors as they cheer after shooting Palestinians desperate for food. 'Hell yeah boy' — Bruno Maçães (@MacaesBruno) July 2, 2025 But many on social media dismissed official denials by the GHF and its partners, instead pointing to accounts from Palestinians. A video and photograph in the AP report shows at least one woman reportedly hit in the head with a stun grenade and another man in visible distress after being tear-gassed. Social media users also raised alarm over the reported lack of oversight and qualifications among armed contractors operating at the aid sites. 'Last minute and unqualified contractors, untested weapons, little to no supervision, no rule of engagement,' lamented one user. 'This is what you do when you have no value of lives you are engaging with.' Others called on politicians to take action. Are we really at the point where American contractors can open fire on starving people—and we just shrug? No condemnation. No investigation. Where's Congress? To the world, we're just another mercenary force now. Don't kid yourself—there was another way. — Adam N Weinstein (@AdamNoahWho) July 3, 2025 One user urged the leaders of the UK, Canada and France to respond to 'war crimes' by Israel, saying in 'the last last 20 months we've been absolutely inundated with many examples of them'. 'When are you going to act like leaders in the UN and do something?' they asked. Others called for the GHF to be shut down. 'GHF no longer has ANY credibility. It has denied firing on civilians time and time again but it has been show to be true. GHF have repeatedly lied,' posted one user on X. 'They need to be shut down and proper aid practices put back in place.'
