Following his high-profile boxing match against Jake Paul, footage has emerged showing the detention of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.
The newly released video captures the moment of Chavez Jr.’s arrest, showing officers searching his pockets while he attempts to communicate with them. During the encounter, Chavez Jr. can be heard expressing concern about contacting his legal representation, stating, “No me inform my lawyer about, when I have an order.”
The son of boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez was taken into custody on Wednesday, just days after losing by unanimous decision to social media personality Jake Paul in Anaheim, California.
According to a statement released by the Department of Homeland Security, Chavez Jr. is now facing deportation proceedings.
DHS officials allege the Mexican boxer entered the United States on a tourist visa in August 2023, which expired in February 2024. Despite this, Chavez Jr. remained in the country and even filed for permanent residency in April 2024, citing his marriage to a U.S. citizen.
The situation is further complicated by serious allegations from Mexican authorities. According to the DHS statement, Chavez Jr. has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for alleged involvement “in organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunition, and e**losives.”
Additionally, government officials claim Chavez Jr.’s wife has connections to the Sinaloa cartel through a previous relationship with one of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s now-deceased sons.
Chavez Jr.’s attorney has strongly denied these allegations, telling the Associated Press they are “outrageous and simply another headline to te***rize the community.”
The boxer holds a professional record of 54-7-1 with 34 knockouts. He was permitted to reenter the U.S. on January 4 before his June 29 bout against Paul. However, the U.S. government determined on June 27 that he was in the country illegally and subject to removal.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized the administration’s stance in the DHS statement: “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.”
This case adds to the ongoing national conversation about immigration enforcement policies under the current administration, which has prioritized deportations since returning to office in January.
