Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. arrested by ICE in LA for deportation
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr looks on ahead of his fight against Jake Paul at Honda Center on June 28, 2025, in Anaheim.
(
Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy
/
Getty Images North America
)
Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. has been detained by federal immigration agents and could soon be deported, according to the Department of Homeland Security in an announcement shared today.
Federal officials said Chávez was arrested in Studio City on Wednesday and that the department is processing him for expedited removal from the U.S. They said Chávez entered the country in August 2023 legally with a B2 tourist visa that expired in February 2024.
The arrest came days after Chávez lost a match against Youtube star and boxer Jake Paul in Anaheim.
The Department of Homeland Security reported that Chávez has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in “organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunition, and explosives.” The department accuses the athlete of being an affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Support for LAist comes from
Michael A. Goldstein, Chávez's lawyer, called the allegations "outrageous."
"This brazen act appears to be designed to terrorize the community," Goldstein said. "DHS falsely claimed that Mr. Chávez has been convicted of gun charges relating to an arrest in Los Angeles. In fact, Mr. Chávez was granted mental health diversion, is in full compliance and we expect those charges to be dismissed by statute soon. Again, there is no conviction."
“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. The days of unchecked cartel violence are over,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.
Trump designated cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel, as a foreign terrorist organization. The president has worked to deliver on his campaign promise to crack down on immigration.
Corrected July 3, 2025 at 2:47 PM PDT
A previous version of this story referred to Chávez as a member instead of an affiliate. We regret the error.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year. -
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs. -
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist