Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was taken into custody by federal immigration brokers on Wednesday (July 3) in Los Angeles, simply days after dropping a high-profile boxing match to Jake Paul, because of a sequence of felony convictions and alleged cartel ties that led to his expedited elimination proceedings.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Thursday (July 3) that Chavez is being processed for deportation after overstaying his visa and submitting what authorities described as “multiple fraudulent statements” in his utility for everlasting residency. The former WBC middleweight champion entered the U.S. legally in August 2023 on a B2 vacationer visa, which expired in February 2024.

Chavez, 38, was convicted earlier this 12 months in Los Angeles for possessing an assault weapon and for manufacturing or importing a short-barreled rifle. He additionally has a 2012 DUI conviction within the U.S. and an energetic arrest warrant in Mexico tied to alleged arms trafficking for the Sinaloa Cartel, in response to DHS.

In April, Chavez utilized for a inexperienced card primarily based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen. However, DHS officers stated his partner had prior ties to the Sinaloa Cartel by a relationship with the deceased son of cartel chief Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

By December 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services flagged Chavez as “an egregious public safety threat” and referred his case to ICE. Despite that, DHS famous that “an entry in a DHS law enforcement system under the Biden administration indicated Chavez was not an immigration enforcement priority.”

Chavez reentered the U.S. in January 2024 by the San Ysidro port of entry. DHS decided on June 27 that he was within the nation unlawfully and topic to elimination.

“It is shocking the previous administration flagged this criminal illegal alien as a public safety threat, but chose to not prioritize his removal and let him leave and COME BACK into our country,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated in an announcement. “Under President Trump, no one is above the law—including world-famous athletes.”

McLaughlin added, “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.”

Chavez’s arrest got here simply 4 days after his loss to Paul on the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Paul received the 10-round bout by unanimous choice, incomes his first official rating at No. 14 within the WBA cruiserweight division.

Chavez is the son of Julio Cesar Chavez, a boxing icon who held world titles in 4 weight courses.

Chavez was deemed detachable from the United States on June 27.

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