Famed Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Wednesday (July 2), amid explosive allegations linking him to organized crime. Authorities say Chávez has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his alleged involvement in organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunition, and explosives. He now faces deportation.
According to Homeland Security, Chávez was flagged as a public safety threat and is accused of being an “affiliate of the Sinaloa cartel.” Despite this, internal Biden administration records reportedly indicated that he was not an immigration enforcement priority.
“Under President Trump, no one is above the law — including world-famous athletes,” said DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin in a statement referencing a shift in immigration policy.
Officials cited Chávez’s ties to the Sinaloa cartel through his marriage to Frida Muñoz, who shares a daughter with Edgar Guzmán Loera — the deceased son of notorious cartel kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. Chávez has also been criticized for his close friendship with Ovidio Guzmán, another of El Chapo’s sons, who recently agreed to plead guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in Chicago.
Chávez’s attorney, Michael A. Goldstein, described the arrest as excessive and politically motivated.
“He was detained outside of his residence by 25 or more ICE and other law enforcement agents,” Goldstein said. “They blocked off his street and took him into custody, leaving his family with no knowledge of his whereabouts. The current allegations are outrageous and appear to be designed as a headline to terrorize the community. Mr. Chávez is not a threat.”
In a twist of irony, Chávez previously voiced concerns about deportation and immigrant rights during an interview following a press event ahead of his recent fight against Jake Paul.
“I was even scared, to tell you the truth. It’s very ugly,” he told the L.A. Times. “There are a lot of good people, and you’re giving the community an example of violence. I’m from Sinaloa, where things are really ugly, and to come here, to such a beautiful country… and see Trump attacking immigrants, Latinos, for no reason. Not being with God makes you think you know everything. Trump made a bad decision.”
He added, prophetically, “After everything that’s happened, I wouldn’t want to be deported.”
Mexican authorities confirmed on Thursday (July 3) that federal prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Chávez back in March 2023 in connection with organized crime and arms trafficking charges.
In response to the news, Chávez’s family issued a statement standing behind the embattled boxer: “We reiterate our total and unconditional support to Julio. We have full confidence in his innocence and firmly believe that the proper course is to allow the competent authorities to carry out their work without external pressure or speculation.”
Source: L.A. Times
