Judge Orders Trump Administration to Retrieve Deported Babson Student

Freshman Any Lucia Lopez Belloza must be returned to the U.S. within two weeks, federal judge rules.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A federal judge in Boston has ordered the Trump administration to return a 19-year-old Babson College freshman, Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, to the United States within two weeks. Lopez Belloza was deported to Honduras in November while traveling for Thanksgiving.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing tensions between the federal government and the judiciary over immigration policies, with the judge asserting that the executive branch cannot unilaterally decide deportation issues and must go through the courts.

The details

U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns issued the order, stating that the Trump administration must return Lopez Belloza to the U.S. by the end of February. The judge said the executive branch cannot "prejudge and arrogate to itself" decisions on removal, and must litigate such issues before a court of law.

  • Lopez Belloza was deported to Honduras in November while traveling for Thanksgiving.
  • The judge issued the order on February 14, 2026, requiring her return within two weeks.

The players

Any Lucia Lopez Belloza

A 19-year-old freshman at Babson College who was deported to Honduras in November while traveling for Thanksgiving.

U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns

The federal judge in Boston who ordered the Trump administration to return Lopez Belloza to the United States within two weeks.

Trump administration

The federal government under the Trump presidency, which deported Lopez Belloza and was ordered by the judge to retrieve her.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns

What’s next

The judge has given the Trump administration two weeks to retrieve Lopez Belloza from Honduras and return her to the United States.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing legal battles between the federal government and the judiciary over immigration policies, with the courts asserting their authority to review and rule on deportation decisions made by the executive branch.