BOSTON (AP) — Lucia Lopez Belloza, a 19-year-old freshman at Babson College, was inadvertently deported to Honduras shortly before Thanksgiving, leading to a legal demand for her return. Her lawyer, Todd Pomerleau, filed a court document asserting that the government should be required to create a plan to facilitate her repatriation within 14 days. Lopez Belloza was detained at Boston’s airport on November 20 while trying to embark on a holiday trip to Texas. The following day, she was flown to Honduras, despite having an emergency court order that mandated she remain in the U.S. for at least 72 hours. The government confirmed in court that they did indeed violate this order but contended that the court does not have jurisdiction over the case. This demonstrates a concerning trend where deportations are executed against existing court orders. Lopez Belloza’s family emigrated from Honduras to the U.S. in 2014, and she has been studying remotely while staying with her grandparents. The case exemplifies ongoing challenges in the immigration system, where legal complexities and bureaucratic errors have significant human repercussions.
Federal Judge Weighs In on Mistaken Deportation of Babson College Student
Lucia Lopez Belloza, a Babson College freshman mistakenly deported, has sparked legal action as her attorney demands a plan for her safe return to the U.S. following government admissions of procedural errors.
A federal court is being asked to order the Trump administration to devise a plan for the return of Lucia Lopez Belloza, a 19-year-old Babson College student who was mistakenly deported to Honduras despite a court order. This occurred just before the Thanksgiving holiday when she was preparing to visit family in Texas. The government conceded they violated the court's directive but claimed a lack of jurisdiction. Her lawyer is requesting a structured process to facilitate her return within two weeks.
