Babson College Student Deported by Mistake Shares Her Story

Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, a 19-year-old Babson College freshman, found herself on a deportation flight to Texas, leaving her college life behind in an incident that has raised serious questions about immigration enforcement. Lopez Belloza, who had no criminal record, was detained at Boston’s airport on November 20, 2023, while preparing for a surprise Thanksgiving visit to her family.

In a phone interview with The Associated Press from Honduras, where she is currently staying with her grandparents, Lopez Belloza expressed her shock. “It just shocked me. I don’t know, like I was numb,” she said. Her deportation occurred just two days after her initial detention, marking her first return to Honduras since she was eight years old.

Legal Errors and Emotional Turmoil

The circumstances surrounding Lopez Belloza’s deportation are complicated. Despite a Massachusetts judge’s order preventing her removal from the United States, she was mistakenly placed on a deportation flight list by federal authorities. The government later apologized for the error, yet her future remains uncertain. On December 1, 2023, her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, called for a federal judge to compel the Trump administration to devise a plan to facilitate her return to the U.S.

Lopez Belloza and her mother initially faced deportation several years ago after arriving in the U.S. The government claims she failed to appeal her case adequately, while Lopez Belloza asserts that her previous attorney informed her there was no removal order in place. “I never would have tried to fly home in November if I’d known about it,” she stated.

The emotional impact of her deportation has been profound. Lopez Belloza described missing the holidays with her parents as a source of deep sadness and concern for their well-being. “They’re scared to step outside because of how everything is,” she explained, referring to her parents’ fears of being targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) despite their efforts to apply for green cards.

Seeking Justice and a Return

The Department of Homeland Security has not commented on her parents’ situation and has not addressed her attorney’s request for her return to the U.S. Nevertheless, Lopez Belloza maintains her spirits through regular communication with her mother and her faith in God. Initially considering attending a university in Honduras, she has decided to continue her studies remotely at Babson, which has offered her support during this difficult time.

Lopez Belloza recounted the harrowing experience of her detention, stating that she was transferred to an ICE facility holding cell with minimal comfort. “Those hours I was detained, it was so horrible,” she recalled, describing cramped conditions among 17 other women. Her last moments before leaving the country were marked by a profound sense of loss. “I guess this is where my dreams are gone,” she reflected, emphasizing the challenges of pursuing aspirations in Honduras compared to the opportunities in the United States.

Lopez Belloza expressed appreciation for the government’s acknowledgment of the mistake that led to her deportation. “Knowing that it was a mistake, it does hurt me. Based on that mistake, my life did a 360 change,” she remarked.

The case of Lopez Belloza is not isolated. Similar incidents have occurred where deportations were executed despite existing court orders. For instance, Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported to El Salvador despite a ruling against such action, and the U.S. Supreme Court eventually intervened in his case. Pomerleau referenced these situations in his court filings, arguing for her right to due process and seeking a two-week deadline for federal officials to facilitate her return.

Despite the legal complexities, Lopez Belloza’s determination remains strong as she navigates her uncertain future. “I’m just hoping that I get back as soon as possible,” she concluded, highlighting the urgency of her situation and the desire to reclaim her life in the United States.