Babson College Student Deported to Honduras Despite Court Order
A Boston-area college student was deported to Honduras on November 22nd, just days after a federal judge issued an order temporarily halting her removal. The case of Any López Belloza, a student at Babson College, has ignited concerns about immigration enforcement practices and due process.
The deportation occurred while López Belloza was attempting to surprise her family in Austin, Texas, the week before Thanksgiving. Upon arrival, she was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and subsequently flown to Honduras, her country of origin.
According to her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, López Belloza was accused of violating a deportation order. However, Pomerleau stated he has been unable to locate any record of an active order. He emphasized that López Belloza arrived in the United States as a child, seeking asylum with her family. “At the end of the day, this is a college student who came here at 7 years old to seek asylum with her family,” Pomerleau said. “She’s not responsible under the law for any decisions her parents made about her. She was a child.”
The timing of the deportation is particularly contentious, as it allegedly defied a court order issued on November 21st by Massachusetts U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs. The judge’s order specifically barred ICE from deporting López Belloza until her case could be fully heard – a process expected to take at least three days. ICE confirmed the arrest occurred on Thanksgiving but did not provide a reason, citing the existing court order.
An agency spokesperson maintained that López Belloza “received full due process and was removed to Honduras.” However, Pomerleau argues the deportation was a clear overreach. He believes the detention is part of a broader crackdown targeting individuals without legal status who have no criminal record, calling the situation “beyond the pale.”
A federal judge has requested responses in López Belloza’s case by December 3rd. Pomerleau and his team are actively fighting for her return. “We are fighting for her. We’re not going to stop until she’s back,” he stated. “She should not be sitting in Honduras. She should be sitting in her classroom… and trying to fulfill her American dream.”
Currently, López Belloza is staying with her grandparents in Honduras. Babson College is providing academic support to help her continue her studies remotely. College President Stephen Spinelli Jr. affirmed the school is “following established protocols” and providing support to faculty and staff assisting López Belloza. “We are staying informed through appropriate channels,” Spinelli said. “Relevant faculty and staff have been informed so they can provide appropriate academic and community support in the student’s absence.”
