Jake Paul opponent Julio César Chávez Jr. arrested by ICE, to be deported

On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security announced Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained prominent Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. The DHS said Chávez Jr. is an illegal immigrant and is being processed for expedited removal from the United States.

On Saturday, Chávez Jr. fought YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Anaheim, California. Chávez Jr. lost the 10-round cruiserweight bout against Paul, via unanimous decision. The scorecards were 99–91, 98–92 and 97–93.

The DHS is alleging that Chávez entered the United States illegally and is an affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel. Read below for the DHS’ complete explanation of Chávez’s detainment.

“In August 2023, he entered the country legally with a B2 tourist visa that was valid until February 2024,” the DHS wrote about Chávez. “Chavez is also believed to be an affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. ICE arrested Chavez in Studio City, California on July 2.

“On April 2, 2024, Chavez filed 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 December 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… 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.”

Chávez Jr. has a career record of 57-7-1 (1). He has 34 career wins by knockout and held the WBC middleweight title from 2011 to 2012. His father is former three-division boxing world champion, Julio César Chávez.

Before fighting Jake Paul, Chávez Jr.’s most recent fight was against former UFC fighter Uriah Hall. Chávez Jr. defeated Hall via unanimous decision on July 20, 2024.

Chávez’s attorney, Michael Goldstein, said the 39-year-old boxer was detained by a large number of federal agents while he was riding a scooter in front of his home in Studio City, California, per the Associated Press. Further, Goldstein criticized the allegations being leveled at Chávez Jr.

“The current allegations are outrageous and simply another headline to terrorize the community,” Goldstein said.

Clearly, the DHS disagrees. Assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin sent a message in the wake of Chávez Jr.’s 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. The days of unchecked cartel violence are over.”