Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Arrested for Visa Violations and Deportation

LOS ANGELES — Renowned Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. has been arrested for allegedly overstaying his visa and misrepresenting facts on a green card application, leading to his impending deportation to Mexico, where he faces serious criminal charges, according to U.S. federal officials. The arrest occurred on July 3, 2025, just days after Chávez's loss to influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a high-profile match in Anaheim, California.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Chávez was apprehended on June 27, 2025, just before his fight, although the rationale for delaying his arrest remains unclear. Chávez, 39, was taken into custody by a significant contingent of federal agents while riding a scooter in front of his residence in Studio City, California. His attorney, Michael Goldstein, characterized the allegations as “outrageous” and indicative of broader immigration enforcement practices that have left many in the Southern California community feeling threatened.

Officials from the DHS reported that Chávez overstayed a tourist visa that had expired in February 2024, after he entered the U.S. in August 2023. Furthermore, he allegedly submitted false statements in an application for a green card on April 2, 2024, based on his marriage to U.S. citizen Frida Muñoz, who is the former partner of Édgar Guzmán López, the deceased son of infamous Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) flagged Chávez on December 17, 2024, labeling him an “egregious public safety threat.” Despite this, he was permitted re-entry into the United States on January 4, 2025, which raised questions about the effectiveness and consistency of immigration controls under the Biden administration.

Chávez reportedly faces an active arrest warrant in Mexico for involvement in organized crime and arms trafficking, and Mexican authorities have commenced extradition proceedings against him. The Attorney General’s Office of Mexico confirmed that they have been pursuing charges against Chávez since March 2023, aligning with allegations of his affiliation with the Sinaloa Cartel. A federal agent, who chose to remain anonymous, corroborated that Chávez is indeed the individual referred to as “Julio C” in the extradition documents.

Prior to his match against Paul, Chávez had competed only once since 2021 and had been mired in a series of personal and professional challenges, including failed drug tests and suspensions. He has struggled with substance abuse but maintained that he was sober and in the best physical shape of his life leading up to the fight against Paul.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Chávez expressed confusion and concern regarding the current climate of violence and strict immigration enforcement, urging for the protection of good people in the community. “After everything that’s happened, I wouldn’t want to be deported,” he stated, highlighting the fear and anxiety experienced by many due to increased immigration arrests.

This incident underscores the increasing tensions surrounding immigration policies in the U.S., particularly as they intersect with high-profile cases involving public figures. Chávez’s situation reflects broader societal issues regarding immigration enforcement and its impact on immigrant communities, as protests against such practices have surged in recent months.

As the case unfolds, the implications for Chávez and the surrounding community remain significant, raising questions about the future of immigration policy and enforcement in the United States, especially as it pertains to individuals with complex backgrounds and histories.