Apology from Trump Administration Over Deportation of Babson College Student

The Trump administration recently issued a rare apology in federal court for the wrongful deportation of Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, a 19-year-old freshman at Babson College. Lopez Belloza was detained at Boston Logan International Airport on November 20, 2025, while attempting to fly to Texas to surprise her family for Thanksgiving. Despite a court order issued on November 21 that prohibited her deportation for at least 72 hours, she was deported to Honduras on November 22. The deportation occurred after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer mistakenly believed the court order was no longer applicable once Lopez Belloza was in Texas.

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During a court hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Sauter acknowledged the government's mistake, stating, “On behalf of the government, we want to sincerely apologize.” He explained that the deportation was the result of an “inadvertent mistake” by an ICE officer who failed to notify the appropriate officials about the court order. U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns characterized the incident as a “tragic” bureaucratic error, emphasizing that Lopez Belloza was an “innocent victim” of the situation.

Newsweek

Lopez Belloza's attorney, Todd Pomerleau, filed a lawsuit challenging her detention the day after her deportation. He criticized the government for depriving her of due process and called the deportation a clear violation of the judge's directive. Pomerleau expressed concern over the lack of a remedy for his client, stating, “We needed to ask for contempt of court just to get an apology, and we have no remedy yet.” The court has not yet ruled on whether the government must facilitate her return to the U.S., but Judge Stearns suggested that a student visa could be a potential solution to allow Lopez Belloza to continue her education.

USA Today

The incident has raised questions about the Trump administration's immigration policies, particularly regarding the treatment of international students. Lopez Belloza, who entered the U.S. as a child, expressed her feelings of injustice, asking, “Why is [President Trump] getting people who are living in the United States working day and night, people like me, who are in college, doing their dreams, having an education?” Critics argue that this case exemplifies the broader issues within the immigration enforcement system, where procedural errors can have severe consequences for individuals.

The Hill

Currently, Lopez Belloza remains in Honduras, and her future in the U.S. is uncertain. While the government has apologized, there is no guarantee of her return. The court is considering options for her reentry, including the issuance of a student visa or reopening her removal case. As the situation develops, Lopez Belloza's case may serve as a pivotal example of the complexities and challenges faced by individuals navigating the U.S. immigration system.

Washington Examiner

• “On behalf of the government, we want to sincerely apologize,” — Mark Sauter, Assistant U.S. Attorney

The Hill

• “It might not be anybody’s fault, but she was the victim of it.” — Richard Stearns, U.S. District Judge

Inside Higher Ed

• “I was hoping the government would show some leniency and bring her back. They violated a court order,” — Todd Pomerleau, Lopez Belloza’s attorney

The Hill

• “Why is [President Trump] getting people who are living in the United States working day and night, people, people like me, who are in college, doing their dreams, having an education?” — Any Lucia Lopez Belloza

The Hill

This case highlights the critical need for careful adherence to legal processes in immigration enforcement and the potential consequences of bureaucratic errors on individuals' lives.

Newsweek