19-Year-Old Student Deported Despite Judge’s Order—Urgent Action Needed
URGENT UPDATE: A 19-year-old college student, Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, has been deported to Honduras despite a federal judge’s order blocking her removal. This shocking incident unfolded at a Boston airport just before her planned trip to Texas for Thanksgiving with family.
Lopez Belloza, who entered the U.S. from Honduras at the age of 8, was detained while preparing to board her flight on November 24, 2023. According to her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, airport authorities pulled her aside and informed her of a removal order that had been pending since 2015.
Hours after her detention, court documents reveal a federal judge issued a ruling prohibiting the government from removing Lopez Belloza or transferring her outside Massachusetts. However, Pomerleau reported that Lopez Belloza was instead transferred to Texas that evening and deported back to Honduras the following day.
“She thought she was going to go home, see her family, fly back, take her finals, and now she’s sitting in Honduras,” Pomerleau stated, highlighting the emotional turmoil this decision has caused for Lopez Belloza and her family.
In a statement to ABC News’ Boston affiliate, a spokesperson for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the removal, citing the longstanding removal order. The agency has not yet responded to inquiries from ABC News regarding the judge’s order.
This incident raises critical questions about the enforcement of immigration laws and the rights of individuals under judicial protection. Pomerleau has vowed to fight for Lopez Belloza’s return to the U.S., emphasizing the urgent need for legal intervention.
As this situation develops, it underscores the increasing tension surrounding immigration policies and the treatment of young individuals caught in a complex legal framework. Observers are urged to follow this story closely as advocacy groups rally support and legal efforts intensify.
For those affected, the implications are profound: a young woman’s life has been uprooted just as she sought to reconnect with her family during the holiday season. Stay tuned for further updates as this urgent situation unfolds.
