Judge Says U.S. Must Help Student Come Back After Mistake

A U.S. judge has told the government it must help a college student return to the United States. The 19-year-old student was sent to Honduras by mistake, even though a court had ordered she should not be deported. The judge has given the government 14 days to bring her back.
By Newsroom | Immigration, United States |

A U.S. judge has ordered the government to arrange for the return of Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, a 19-year-old college student deported to Honduras over Thanksgiving. This directive comes after her removal, which occurred despite a court order in place to prevent her deportation. The situation highlights a clash between judicial orders and executive actions concerning immigration enforcement.

Background and Timeline of Events

Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, a freshman at Babson College in Massachusetts, was arrested on November 20th, 2025, at Boston's Logan Airport. She was attempting to travel to Texas to surprise her family for Thanksgiving. Following her arrest, a lawsuit was filed in Massachusetts to contest her detention.

On November 21st, 2025, a judge issued a temporary order that blocked Lopez Belloza's deportation or transfer out of the state for 72 hours. This order was intended to halt any removal proceedings while her case was being reviewed. Despite this court order, Lopez Belloza was deported two days later, over the Thanksgiving holiday. Her previous legal counsel had reportedly advised her that no removal order was in place. She has since been staying with her grandparents in Honduras, a country she had not visited in over a decade.

The core of the dispute centers on the violation of a judicial order. Lopez Belloza's lawyer initiated legal proceedings, leading to the issuance of a court injunction. However, the subsequent deportation appears to have circumvented this injunction.

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U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns issued the recent order directing the government to facilitate Lopez Belloza's return. The judge has given the administration a deadline, specified as within 14 days from the order's issuance, to complete this process. One report states the deadline was February 27th. The judge also indicated that if the government failed to comply, he would consider holding them in contempt of court.

Judge Orders U.S. to Facilitate Return of College Student Who Was Deported in Error - 1

The government's stance on facilitating Lopez Belloza's return has been met with resistance. During court proceedings, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley argued that the Secretary of State lacks the legal authority to unilaterally issue visas. This argument suggests a procedural hurdle or a division of authority being invoked by the government.

Conversely, the court's order underscores the imperative for compliance with judicial directives. The judge's mandate for her return implies a belief that her removal was not legally sound, especially given the existence of a prior injunction. The government's prior refusal to voluntarily arrange for her return further complicated the matter.

Current Status and Next Steps

Any Lucia Lopez Belloza remains in Honduras. The judge's order now places a clear responsibility on the U.S. government to rectify the situation by enabling her return.

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  • Deadline: The government must facilitate Lopez Belloza's return within the specified timeframe, with a deadline noted as February 27th.

  • Potential Consequences: Failure to comply with the judge's order could lead to contempt of court proceedings against the administration.

  • Student's Future: Babson College has reportedly offered support for Lopez Belloza to continue her studies remotely as she pursues her business degree. The legal challenges will likely determine her longer-term status regarding her education and residency.

Expert Analysis

The situation involves a direct challenge to the judiciary's authority within the immigration system. Legal observers note that when a court issues a clear order, such as a temporary restraining order, government agencies are generally expected to adhere to it. The fact that Lopez Belloza was deported despite such an order suggests a significant breakdown in procedural adherence or a deliberate circumvention. The judge's forceful directive to facilitate her return indicates a judicial effort to reassert the rule of law over administrative actions that may have been irregular.

Conclusion

The judicial order for Any Lucia Lopez Belloza's return marks a critical development in a case where an immigration directive appears to have overridden a court's injunction. The judge's intervention underscores the legal framework designed to protect individuals' rights during immigration processes. The coming weeks will determine whether the government complies with the order, thereby correcting a perceived error in deportation, or faces further legal scrutiny. The implications extend to the balance of power between the judiciary and executive agencies in immigration matters.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was the student sent back to Honduras?
She was sent back by mistake. This happened even though a court had ordered that she should not be deported.
Q: What did the judge order?
The judge ordered the U.S. government to help the student return to the United States. The government must do this within 14 days.
Q: What happens if the government does not help her return?
The judge said he would consider punishing the government for not following his order. This is called being held in contempt of court.
Q: Where is the student now?
She is currently in Honduras, staying with her grandparents. She has not been to Honduras in over 10 years.