BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge is being urged to demand the Trump administration formulate a plan to return a Babson College student, Lucia Lopez Belloza, who was erroneously deported to Honduras less than a week before Thanksgiving, according to her lawyer’s court filing on Friday.
The incident occurred on November 20 when the 19-year-old freshman was detained at Boston’s airport, intending to fly to Texas for the holidays. Despite an emergency court order instructing to keep her in the U.S. for at least 72 hours, she was deported to Honduras two days later. The government conceded in court that it had violated the judicial directive but contended that the court lacked jurisdiction over the matter.
“The petition is not about instructing the government on foreign relations or mandating outcomes beyond its authority," Lawyer Todd Pomerleau stated. "It simply calls for a structured, transparent process: the government must identify actions available to return the petitioner to the U.S.”
Pomerleau requests that the judge compel the government to devise a plan within 14 days.
Various return scenarios are being proposed for Belloza, including the possibility of returning to the U.S. temporarily for her immigration proceedings, pursuing a pending T visa due to human trafficking ties, or applying for a student visa—a complicated process given her earlier removal order.
Her case reflects a growing trend of deportations occurring against judicial orders. Another instance involves Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who faced similar circumstances previously. The government ultimately complied with the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling regarding his return to the U.S. last June, a case also noted by Pomerleau.
Belloza, whose family emigrated from Honduras in 2014, is not detained as she stays with her grandparents and studies remotely. She only recently visited her aunt in El Salvador, complicating her situation further.
The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to requests for comment. During a court hearing on Tuesday, the government argued that it lacked jurisdiction due to the timing of the petition filed post her removal. However, it also accepted accountability for its mistakes.
Judge Richard Stearns acknowledged the bureaucratic mistake and dismissed contempt actions against the government, emphasizing that it did not seem intentional. He showed concerns regarding the court's jurisdiction and the timing of the filing.
