‘Traumatized’: A Mistakenly Deported College Student Says Her Life Has Turned Upside Down

On a deportation flight bound for Texas, Any Lucia Lopez Belloza found herself questioning why she, a college student without a criminal record, was being sent back to Honduras, her home country. The 19-year-old Babson College freshman was detained at Boston’s airport on Nov. 20 as she was getting ready to surprise her family for Thanksgiving in Texas. Two days later, she was deported, returning to Honduras for the first time since the age of 8.

Despite the government’s apology for mistakenly deporting her after a Massachusetts judge ordered her not to leave the U.S., Lopez Belloza’s future remains uncertain. Her lawyer has requested a federal judge to compel the Trump administration to devise a plan for her return to the U.S.

Lopez Belloza and her mother faced deportation orders several years after arriving in the U.S. Despite the government’s claims that she missed opportunities to appeal, Lopez Belloza was unaware of any removal order, as her previous attorney had not informed her. The sudden deportation has taken a toll on her, especially during the holidays, as she misses her parents and worries about their safety in Texas.

Despite the challenges, Lopez Belloza remains hopeful, staying connected with her family and maintaining her faith. She has decided to continue her studies at Babson College, which has offered her support as she studies remotely from Honduras.

During her detention at the airport, Lopez Belloza was pressured to sign a deportation document to speak with a lawyer. Refusing to sign, she was transferred to an ICE facility where she endured difficult conditions. Despite the ordeal, she managed to make a phone call to her family before being flown to Texas.

As she grapples with her deportation, Lopez Belloza wonders about the future of her dreams, which seemed more attainable in the U.S. than in Honduras. Despite the setback, she remains hopeful for a return to the country.

Her lawyer is pushing for her return to the U.S., citing similar cases where deportations were carried out despite court orders. The court filing outlines possible paths for her return, including a student visa, although complications may arise due to her prior removal order.

While the government claims her deportation was lawful due to previous removal orders, a U.S. District Judge has urged officials to rectify the mistake and find a solution to bring Lopez Belloza back. The judge’s ruling provides hope for her return to the U.S., pending government action.

With the legal battle ongoing, Lopez Belloza remains optimistic about reuniting with her family and pursuing her dreams in the United States.