Federal Judge Orders U.S. to Bring Deported Austin Student Home

Any Lucía López Belloza, 20, was deported to Honduras despite a court order blocking her removal.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A federal judge has ordered the U.S. government to return an Austin college student, Any Lucía López Belloza, who was deported to Honduras after being arrested at a Boston airport while traveling home for Thanksgiving. The judge said the government "did wrong" in deporting López Belloza, who had lived in the U.S. for over a decade and was attending university on a scholarship, and ordered her return within 14 days.

Why it matters

This case highlights the far-reaching impacts of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, with the deportation of a college student who had been living legally in the U.S. for years. It also raises questions about due process and the government's treatment of young immigrants.

The details

Any Lucía López Belloza, 20, was arrested by federal immigration agents at Boston's Logan International Airport as she was traveling home to Austin for Thanksgiving break from her first semester at Babson College. Despite a court order blocking her removal, she was summarily deported to her native Honduras. López Belloza's family says they were unaware of any deportation order against her.

  • On November 23, 2025, López Belloza was arrested at Boston's Logan Airport.
  • On November 24, 2025, López Belloza was deported to Honduras despite a court order blocking her removal.
  • On February 13, 2026, a federal judge ordered the U.S. government to return López Belloza to the U.S. within 14 days.

The players

Any Lucía López Belloza

A 20-year-old college student from Austin, Texas who was deported to Honduras despite living in the U.S. for over a decade and attending university on a scholarship.

U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns

The federal judge who ordered the U.S. government to return López Belloza to the country within 14 days, stating the government "did wrong" in deporting her.

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What they’re saying

“In this unfortunate case, the government commendably admits that it did wrong. Now it is time for the government to make amends.”

— U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns (statesman.com)

What’s next

The U.S. government has 14 days to facilitate the return of Any Lucía López Belloza to the United States as ordered by the federal judge.

The takeaway

This case highlights the human toll of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies, with the deportation of a college student who had lived legally in the U.S. for years. It underscores the need for greater due process and compassion in the immigration system.