Who is Julio César Chávez’s wife Frida Chávez? Link to Sinaloa Cartel explored as ICE seeks deportation of Mexican boxer

On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Julio César Chávez Jr., who is married to social media influencer Frida Chávez (also known as Frida Muñoz). 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the arrest on X and confirmed that the federal agency is reportedly working to deport the Mexican boxer. The social media post described Julio as a “Sinaloa Cartel affiliate” and leveled startling accusations against him. The post from DHS read, 

“He is now being processed for expedited removal from the United States. This Sinaloa Cartel affiliate has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunitions and explosives.” 

On July 2, ICE arrested Mexican boxer and criminal illegal alien Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

He is now being processed for expedited removal from the United States. This Sinaloa Cartel affiliate has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in organized crime and… pic.twitter.com/c4QeRVpCEr

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 3, 2025

While Julio is a Mexican citizen, his wife, Frida Chávez, is a US citizen. She has over 85K followers on Instagram, where she often shares pictures with her three children while occasionally posting about brand collaborations. However, Frida Chávez also has a past connection with the infamous Sinaloa Cartel, a designated terrorist organization in the US. 

According to DHS, Julio César Chávez Jr.’s wife had a connection to the crime syndicate “through a prior relationship with” its former leader, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s son. According to The Sun, Frida Chávez previously dated Édgar Guzmán López, one of El Chapo’s children. 

They also had a daughter, Frida Sofía, in 2006, but a rival cartel assassinated Guzmán in May 2008. According to El País, Frida Chávez moved to the United States after Édgar's death. Later, she started dating Julio César Chávez Jr., and they eventually married. The couple also shares two children—Julia and Julio III. 

Julio César Chávez Jr. had applied for “Lawful Permanent Resident status” based on his marriage to Frida Chávez

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Frida Munoz (@fridamuro)

The professional boxer, who stepped into the boxing ring against Jake Paul in June, is a Mexican citizen. According to DHS, Julio had previously entered the US legally in August 2023. At the time, he had a valid B2 tourist visa, which expired after February 2024. Following that, the boxer applied for “Lawful Permanent Resident status” in April last year. 

The basis of Julio’s application was his marriage to Frida Chávez. However, according to DHS’s recent press release, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services described him as an “egregious public safety threat” in its referral to ICE in December 2024. In January 2025, Julio César Chávez Jr. was allowed to reenter the US by the Biden administration, per DHS. 

In its press release, the Department of Homeland Security cited a concurrent entry on the boxer in its system and noted that he “was not an immigration enforcement priority” previously. DHS stated that the application filed by Frida Chávez’s husband had “multiple fraudulent statements.” Based on his application, the federal department confirmed, 

“He was determined to be in the country illegally and removable on June 27, 2025.” 

Following Chávez’s arrest, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, was quoted as saying, 

“This Sinaloa Cartel affiliate with an active arrest warrant for trafficking guns, ammunition, and explosives was arrested by ICE. 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.” 

She further highlighted, 

“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.” 

According to DHS, Frida Chávez’s husband also faced multiple charges in the US during his past stays. In 2012, Julio faced DUI charges and was later convicted. Additionally, he was later accused of illegal possession of an assault weapon. 

On the other hand, apart from her past connection with the Sinaloa Cartel, Frida Chávez is not facing any charges or allegations from the Department of Homeland Security.