BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge has ordered the return of Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, a 19-year-old Babson College freshman, after she was mistakenly deported to Honduras while traveling for Thanksgiving.
U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns mandated that Lopez Belloza must be back in the United States within two weeks, emphasizing the judiciary's role in determining her legal rights in the wake of her unjust deportation.
“This is not an issue for the Executive to prejudge and arrogate to itself, whatever stance it may choose to take in litigating the removal issue before a court of law,” Stearns stated in his ruling.
The Department of Homeland Security noted that Lopez Belloza received “full due process” and mentioned the existence of a prior removal order. However, her legal representative, Todd Pomerleau, maintains that there were no such orders communicated to her.
Lopez Belloza was detained at Boston’s airport on November 20, just before her flight to Texas for the holiday, and she was deported two days later. Since then, she has been residing with her grandparents in Honduras, a country she had left over a decade ago.
Despite the ordeal, Babson College has extended support to Lopez Belloza, allowing her to continue her studies remotely as she pursues her business degree.
Her case highlights the complexity and ramifications of immigration enforcement in educational contexts, raising critical questions about the treatment of international students.
