US Government Vows to Detain and Deport Austin College Student Again

Any Lucía López Belloza ordered returned to US, but officials say they will immediately detain and remove her

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A federal judge ordered the US government to return deported Austin college student Any Lucía López Belloza to the country by Friday. However, the government said it would immediately detain and deport her again upon her return, arguing it has the authority to do so under a previous removal order.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions between the federal government's immigration enforcement actions and the judiciary's efforts to intervene and provide relief to individuals facing deportation. It raises questions about the limits of judicial oversight and the government's discretion in carrying out deportation orders.

The details

Any Lucía López Belloza, a 20-year-old freshman at Babson College, was arrested by ICE at Boston's Logan Airport in November 2025 as she tried to board a flight to surprise her Austin-based parents. She was quickly deported to Honduras despite a federal judge in Massachusetts pausing her removal. The government has argued the Massachusetts court lacks jurisdiction over the case since she was moved to Texas so quickly. However, the judge has ruled he can review the case for contempt of court and seek a remedy for López Belloza.

  • In November 2025, ICE arrested López Belloza at Boston's Logan Airport and quickly deported her to Honduras.
  • On Friday, a federal judge ordered the government to return López Belloza to the US.
  • On Thursday, the government said it would detain and deport López Belloza immediately upon her return.

The players

Any Lucía López Belloza

A 20-year-old freshman college student at Babson College who was deported to Honduras by ICE despite a federal judge's order to pause her removal.

Todd Pomerleau

The attorney representing López Belloza, who expressed anger over the government's decision to detain and deport his client again.

Greg Casar

A Democratic U.S. Representative from Austin who condemned the government's actions and said López Belloza should be allowed to return to school in Boston immediately.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that arrested and deported López Belloza despite a judge's order to pause her removal.

U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns

The judge presiding over the case who has previously agreed the Massachusetts court lacks jurisdiction but ruled it can review the case for contempt of court and seek a remedy for López Belloza.

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What they’re saying

“They're playing games. We will vigorously oppose this motion.”

— Todd Pomerleau, Attorney representing Any Lucía López Belloza (Austin American-Statesman)

“Unacceptable. Outrageous. Any should be allowed to return to school in Boston immediately. We'll keep fighting until she's home.”

— Greg Casar, U.S. Representative from Austin (Twitter)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow the government's motion to dismiss the initial habeas corpus motion and vacate the order to return López Belloza to the US.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the federal government's immigration enforcement actions and the judiciary's efforts to intervene, raising questions about the limits of judicial oversight and the government's discretion in carrying out deportation orders.