The Trump administration has issued an apology in court for what it termed a mistake in the deportation of Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, a 19-year-old freshman at Babson College. Lopez Belloza was detained at Boston's airport while attempting to surprise her family for Thanksgiving and was flown to Honduras two days later, despite an emergency court order to halt her removal.
Lopez Belloza's family moved from Honduras to the U.S. in 2014, and now she continues her studies remotely while living with her grandparents. Recently, she was reportedly visiting an aunt in El Salvador.
This incident reflects a troubling trend where deportations proceed even after judicial intervention. Similar cases include that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and a Guatemalan man known as O.C.G., both of whom faced removal despite protective court measures.
During a recent federal court hearing in Boston, government attorneys argued the jurisdiction of the court due to timing issues in the filing of Lopez Belloza's appeal, yet acknowledged the mistake that led to her deportation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Sauter conveyed the government's regret, emphasizing it was an inadvertent error rather than a deliberate disobedience of a court order.
As part of the court proceedings, the ICE officer involved admitted to a lack of communication and a misunderstanding of the judge's order, believing it became inapplicable once Lopez Belloza left Massachusetts.
While the government contends her deportation was lawful based on earlier judicial rulings, Lopez Belloza's lawyer argues that the abrupt removal violated her due process rights. U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns acknowledged the apology but did not indicate a willingness to hold the government in contempt, suggesting the error was bureaucratic rather than malicious.
Looking ahead, Lopez Belloza's lawyer proposed that she could return to the U.S. to complete her studies as they attempt to reopen her immigration case.
