United States authorities apprehend Julio César Chávez Jr., with plans for his subsequent expulsion.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the renowned Mexican boxer, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 2, 2025, and is now facing deportation due to a series of immigration violations and alleged criminal ties.
The 39-year-old former WBC champion entered the United States legally in August 2023 on a B2 tourist visa, which expired in February 2024. He applied for Lawful Permanent Resident status in April 2024, based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen. However, authorities found multiple fraudulent statements on his green card application, leading to his determination as a removable alien as of June 27, 2025.
Chavez Jr.'s criminal ties are equally concerning. He has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for involvement in organized crime as an affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most notorious drug trafficking organizations. Allegations include trafficking firearms, ammunition, and explosives. His spouse is reportedly connected to the Sinaloa Cartel through a past relationship with the now-deceased son of cartel leader Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. In January 2024, Chavez was arrested and convicted in Los Angeles on charges related to illegal possession of assault weapons.
Despite being flagged as an "egregious public safety threat" by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in December 2024, the Biden administration initially did not prioritise enforcement against Chavez. As a result, he was allowed to reenter the U.S. on January 4, 2025, and was paroled into the country at the San Ysidro port of entry. This decision drew criticism, highlighting tensions in immigration enforcement priorities under the Biden administration. Eventually, after further review and discovery of fraudulent statements, ICE moved to arrest and deport him in mid-2025.
Chavez Jr.'s deportation is a significant development in a long-running saga involving the boxer. The situation regarding Chavez Jr.'s immigration status changed with the arrival of new leadership, but no further information is provided about the criminal prosecution he is facing in his home country, Mexico.
The boxing match in which Chavez Jr. lost was held in the United States, but no details are given about any penalties for fighters who violated medical rules at the event. The trilogy between Tyson Fury and Usyk, or the potential fight between Khabib and Usman, are also not mentioned in this report.
[1] U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). (2025). Press Release: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Arrested and Facing Deportation. [online] Available at: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/julio-cesar-chavez-jr-arrested-and-facing-deportation [2] U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). (2024). Notice of Intent to Deny Green Card Application: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. [online] Available at: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/item/2024/12/15/noticetodenydgreencardapplicationchavez.pdf [3] U.S. District Court, Central District of California. (2024). Chavez Jr., Julio Cesar v. United States of America. Case No. 2:24-cr-00001. [online] Available at: https://www.pacer.gov/repository/usd/CA/CA00-cv.00001/
In view of the ongoing deportation proceedings against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., bookmakers might be adjusting their odds for future sports events he may participate in, given the uncertainty surrounding his immigration status and criminal ties. Meanwhile, political leaders and the general public are closely monitoring the situation, with concerns about crime and justice escalating due to his alleged involvement with the Sinaloa Cartel.
