ICE detains Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr., prepares for his removal
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Julio César Chávez 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. Photo: Harry How/Getty Images
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says it arrested Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr., and he's being processed for expedited removal from the U.S. due to an active arrest warrant in Mexico.
Why it matters: Chávez is the son of Mexican boxing legend Julio César Chávez and just lost against Jake Paul by unanimous decision in a 10-round cruiserweight subpar bout this weekend.
The big picture: This appears to be the first time the Trump administration is seeking to remove a high-profile athlete from the country amid stepped-up immigration enforcement.
- And the detainment came a year before the U.S. serves as one of the countries hosting the World Cup, which is already drawing scrutiny from civil rights and labor groups over the U.S. government's immigration policies.
Driving the news: DHS posted on X on Thursday that it had detained Chávez and was placing him for fast-track removal.
- "This Sinaloa Cartel affiliate has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunitions and explosives," the department posted.
- The department also alleged that Chávez was a "criminal illegal alien" and said he had previously been arrested in the U.S. on DUI and weapons charges.
- A district judge in 2023 also issued an arrest warrant for Chávez on charges related to organized crime.
Chávez's attorney, Michael Goldstein, told ESPN that the boxer was picked up by federal agents while riding a scooter near his home in Studio City, California.
- Goldstein didn't know where Chávez was being detained, but said they were due in court on Monday for his criminal charges.
Zoom in: DHS stated that Chávez entered the country legally in August 2023 with a B2 tourist visa, which was valid until February 2024.
- He then filed an application for Lawful Permanent Resident status in April 2024, the department said.
- "Chávez'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," the department said.
- Axios could not independently verify the claim.
State of play: The Biden administration allowed Chávez to reenter the country in January and paroled him into the country at the San Ysidro port of entry, the Trump administration said.
- "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," the department said.
What they're saying: "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," said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a release.
- "Under President Trump, no one is above the law—including world-famous athletes."
Go deeper: Trump travel ban may hit MLB players from Cuba, Venezuela
