Judge orders US to retrieve student deported to Honduras

Babson College freshman Any Lucia Lopez Belloza must be returned within 2 weeks, federal judge rules

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A federal judge in Boston has ordered the U.S. government to return a college student who was mistakenly deported to Honduras while traveling for Thanksgiving. The judge gave the government two weeks to retrieve 19-year-old Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, a Babson College freshman, and bring her back to the United States.

Why it matters

This case highlights issues around immigration enforcement and the rights of students and others who may face deportation, even if they have no criminal history and are legally in the country. It also raises questions about the government's procedures for handling such cases and ensuring due process.

The details

Lopez Belloza, who has no criminal record, was detained at Boston's airport on November 20 as she was preparing to fly home to Texas for Thanksgiving. She was deported two days later, despite her previous attorney telling her there had been no removal order. The judge said the government had failed to come up with a solution after acknowledging the mistaken deportation, compelling the court to intervene.

  • On November 20, 2025, Lopez Belloza was detained at Boston's airport as she was preparing to fly home for Thanksgiving.
  • On November 22, 2025, Lopez Belloza was deported to Honduras.
  • On February 14, 2026, the federal judge in Boston ordered the U.S. government to return Lopez Belloza to the United States within two weeks.

The players

Any Lucia Lopez Belloza

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

U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns

The federal judge in Boston who ordered the U.S. government to return Lopez Belloza to the United States within two weeks.

Todd Pomerleau

The lawyer representing Lopez Belloza, who said the government's response 'fails to address the numerous simple solutions available to itself to rectify its 'mistaken' deportation.'

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that deported Lopez Belloza, stating she received 'full due process' and a final order of removal.

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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

“The government's response 'spills a lot of ink on the difficulty of a student visa, but it fails to address the numerous simple solutions available to itself to rectify its 'mistaken' deportation.”

— Todd Pomerleau, Lopez Belloza's lawyer

What’s next

The judge has ordered the U.S. government to return Lopez Belloza to the United States by the end of February 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complexities and potential pitfalls in the U.S. immigration system, even for students legally in the country. It underscores the need for greater oversight and accountability to ensure due process and prevent wrongful deportations, especially for those without criminal histories.