Deportation of Babson College Student Raises Legal and Ethical Concerns

Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, a 19-year-old freshman at Babson College, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on November 20, 2025, at Boston Logan International Airport. She was attempting to board a flight to Texas to surprise her family for Thanksgiving. Instead of reuniting with her parents and younger sisters, Lopez Belloza was arrested and subsequently deported to Honduras, a country she left at the age of seven. Her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, claims that her deportation violated a federal court order that prohibited her removal from the U.S. while a lawsuit regarding her case was pending.

CNNABC NewsShe was deported after boarding a flight to Austin. Her attorney says that violates a judge's order.KVUE - Austin NewsNBC NewsWCVB - Boston NewsPeople MagazineThe Independent

Lopez Belloza's legal troubles stem from a removal order issued in 2015, which she and her family were reportedly unaware of. According to Pomerleau, he has not found any record of an active deportation order in government databases. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) maintains that Lopez Belloza received due process and was removed legally. However, Pomerleau argues that her detention was unlawful, as a federal judge had issued an order just hours after her arrest, barring her deportation.

ABC NewsShe was deported after boarding a flight to Austin. Her attorney says that violates a judge's order.CNNKVUE - Austin NewsNBC NewsWCVB - Boston NewsThe IndependentPeople Magazine

In light of the incident, Babson College has directed faculty and staff to provide academic and community support to Lopez Belloza. The college's President Stephen Spinelli stated that they are following established protocols and are focused on supporting the student and her family. The college has refrained from commenting further due to legal and privacy considerations.

The Hill

Critics, including Lopez Belloza's family and attorney, have expressed outrage over the manner of her detention and deportation. Pomerleau described the situation as "beyond the pale," highlighting that Lopez Belloza was deported in shackles and handcuffs. He emphasized that she was a child when her family sought asylum and should not be held accountable for decisions made by her parents. The case has drawn national attention, with calls for a review of the actions taken by ICE.

She was deported after boarding a flight to Austin. Her attorney says that violates a judge's order.ABC NewsCNNKVUE - Austin NewsNBC NewsWCVB - Boston NewsThe IndependentPeople Magazine

• “They deported a child alone in shackles and handcuffs a few days before Thanksgiving,” — Todd Pomerleau, Attorney

ABC News

• “This shouldn't happen to her at all.” — Todd Pomerleau, Attorney

ABC News

• “I have worked so hard to be able to be at Babson my first semester, that was my dream,” — Any Lucia Lopez Belloza

CNN

• “We’re going to ask that the federal judge require the United States to bring her back to the United States because it is an egregious violation of her due process rights.” — Todd Pomerleau, Attorney

CNN

Pomerleau has indicated plans to continue legal efforts to return Lopez Belloza to the U.S., asserting that her deportation violated her constitutional rights. Meanwhile, her family has initiated a fundraiser to cover her legal and living expenses in Honduras. The case remains under scrutiny as it highlights broader issues regarding immigration enforcement and the treatment of individuals without legal status in the U.S.

She was deported after boarding a flight to Austin. Her attorney says that violates a judge's order.