CONCORD, N.H. — A 19-year-old Massachusetts college student, Lucia Lopez Belloza, was deported to Honduras during her Thanksgiving travel plans, raising significant questions about the immigration process. As a freshman at Babson College, Lopez Belloza attempted to visit her family when she encountered legal complications that resulted in her removal from the U.S.
Lopez Belloza was detained at Boston’s airport on November 20, only to be flown to Honduras two days later despite a court order stating she should remain in Massachusetts. Government attorney Mark Sauter claimed that the judge's order was ineffective because Lopez Belloza was already en route to Texas and therefore beyond jurisdiction.
Her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, contended that Lopez Belloza was completely unaware of the removal order issued against her as a child. His statements suggested that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made it almost impossible for her family to trace her whereabouts during the deportation process.
While the U.S. government argued that the deportation followed proper protocols, Pomerleau asserted that ICE's practices left families in the dark during such critical situations. After her initial call home, he mentioned that no further contact or support was provided by ICE, creating a sense of uncertainty regarding her status.
Lopez Belloza came to the U.S. in 2014 at the age of eight. In March 2016, a judge ordered her and her mother to be removed from the country, a case that had been processed without Lopez Belloza’s knowledge and as a minor, she didn't receive adequate legal guidance to contest it.
Pomerleau expressed his disappointment in the legal representation and assistance that led to these circumstances, noting that Lopez Belloza was effectively living her life unaware of the looming legal issues. The court has granted her attorney until December 11 to formally respond to the government's claims.
Despite the trauma of her deportation, Lopez Belloza is committed to continuing her education and working with Babson College to complete her final exams remotely. Her attorney has praised her resilience and determination, asserting that they will ensure she has a bright future ahead.
