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Mexican boxer Giulio Cesar Chavez Jr. was arrested by a US Department of Homeland Security official in Studio City on Wednesday, DHS announced on X.
The 39-year-old Chavez is the son of legendary boxing icon Julio Cesar Chavez Senior DHS, who said that Chavez faces rapid removal proceedings due to legal and immigration issues, including a 2012 DUI conviction and a 2024 federal weapon conviction.
Chavez recently fought Jake Paul at the Honda Center in Anaheim. On Thursday evening, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr’s X account posted a statement from a family member dealing with the arrest.
“Our family is deeply discouraged by the current situation. In these difficult times, we reaffirm our full and unconditional support for Giulio. We fully trust his innocence and human integrity, as well as the judicial systems of both Mexico and the United States.
According to DHS, Chavez entered the United States in August 2023 on a B2 tourist visa and in April 2024 applied for legal permanent residency based on her marriage to a US citizen.
However, authorities argue that his application contains fraudulent information and that his spouse had prior connections with the Sinaloa cartel through his previous relationship. DHS officials say Chavez has ties to the group and is nominated in Mexico for crimes related to arms trafficking and organized criminal activity.
“Under President Trump, no one, including world-renowned athletes, is beyond the law,” the department said. “Our message to the US cartel affiliates is clear. We will find you, and you will face consequences. The era of unchecked cartel violence is over.”
Julio Cesar Chavez JR watches ahead of the battle with Jake Paul at Honda Center on June 28, 2025 in Anaheim, California. (Chris Eskeda/Golden Boy/Getty Image)
Federal agents deemed Chavez deemable on June 27th.
“This Sinaloa Cartel affiliate had an aggressive arrest warrant for human trafficking guns, ammunition and explosives,” Deputy Director Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. “It is shocking that the previous administration flagged this individual as a threat to public safety, but chose not to prioritize his removal, allowing him to leave and return to our country.
Chavez’s arrest will unfold Southern California in frequent attacks targeting locations for individuals, workplaces and day workers, as the heart of the 2024 campaign.
The Department of Homeland Security claims its enforcement activities are “highly targeted,” and often have criminal history focusing on people living in the United States illegally. The number of arrests was thought to be in the hundreds as of early July.
The department also says its enforcement officers are facing an exponential increase in assault on them.
Mitzi Vazquez, KTLA’s News Assignment Editor, contributed to this report.
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