Deported Austin college student declines return flight to U.S., fearing arrest

Any Lucía López Belloza, a 20-year-old Honduran national, was deported during Thanksgiving week despite a federal court order pausing her removal.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A federal judge ordered the return of deported Austin student Any Lucía López Belloza to the U.S., but she declined to board the court-ordered flight back, fearing the government would immediately re-arrest her upon arrival. López Belloza's lawyers said they believe the government is attempting to entrap her, keeping her in immigration custody as it moves to deport her again.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions and legal battles around immigration enforcement, with the Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants clashing with court orders and due process protections. It also raises concerns about the treatment of young undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children.

The details

Last month, a federal judge ordered the return of deported Austin student Any Lucía López Belloza to the U.S. However, on the day of her scheduled return flight, her attorneys said they feared the government would immediately re-arrest and deport her again upon her arrival. An ICE agent had contacted López Belloza to offer her a flight back, but her lawyers believe this was an attempt to entrap her.

  • In November 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested López Belloza at a Boston airport and promptly deported her to Honduras during Thanksgiving week, despite a federal court order pausing her removal.
  • On February 27, 2026, the court-ordered deadline arrived for the federal government to return López Belloza to the U.S., but she declined to board the flight, fearing re-arrest.

The players

Any Lucía López Belloza

A 20-year-old Honduran national who was deported from the U.S. despite a federal court order, and is now fighting to return to the country she calls home.

Todd Pomerleau

The principal attorney representing López Belloza, who believes the government is attempting to entrap his client upon her return to the U.S.

Todd Schulte

The president of FWD.us, an immigration advocacy group that has been helping López Belloza and her family.

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What they’re saying

“In all likelihood, they're going to land a plane, hide her from us again, not even let her make a phone call — and then just treat this like a turnstile and send her back to Honduras.”

— Todd Pomerleau, Principal attorney (statesman.com)

“That anybody could sit here and say that is the sort of [thing] that the judge is ordering is simply false.”

— Todd Schulte, President of FWD.us (statesman.com)

“I have built my life in the United States. My friends, my community, my future are there. I have worked hard for their approval, and tried to give back to the place that raised me. I have dreams just like anyone else. I want to continue my education. I want to build my career. I want to support my family. I want to keep contributing to the country I call home.”

— Any Lucía López Belloza (statesman.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow López Belloza to return to the U.S. without fear of immediate re-arrest and deportation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles and human toll of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies, even for young undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and consider it their home.