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Jul
MEXICAN BOXER JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR. ARRESTED BY ICE, FACING DEPORTATION OVER ALLEGED CARTEL TIES
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CapitalTimesNews / 2 months
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- 2 min read
Former WBC middleweight boxing champion Julio César Chávez Jr. was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Wednesday and is currently facing deportation from the United States. The arrest comes just days after Chávez Jr.’s high-profile bout against social media influencer Jake Paul in California, where he lost in a unanimous decision. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Chávez Jr. is being processed for expedited removal due to alleged immigration violations and an active criminal arrest warrant in Mexico for organized crime and weapons trafficking. DHS officials claim that Chávez Jr. is an affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel, a notorious Mexican drug trafficking organization. Chávez Jr. entered the United States on a tourist visa in August 2023, which expired in February 2024. He filed for permanent residency in April 2024 based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen, who DHS officials say has connections to the Sinaloa cartel through a past relationship with one of the now-deceased sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the former leader of the cartel. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “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.” Chávez Jr.’s attorney, Michael Goldstein, strongly denied the allegations, calling them “outrageous and simply another headline to terrorize the community.” The 39-year-old boxer has a history of legal troubles, including a 2012 conviction for driving under the influence and a 2024 conviction for illegal possession of assault weapons. His deportation case highlights the Trump administration’s strict approach to immigration enforcement, particularly for individuals with alleged cartel ties or considered public safety threats.