Government Apology Over Mistaken Deportation of College Student

Thu Jan 15 2026 01:04:32 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

U.S. officials admit to a serious error in the deportation of Lucia Lopez Belloza, a Babson College freshman, after she was misled by an ICE officer, highlighting ongoing concerns over due process.

Lucia Lopez Belloza, a 19-year-old Babson College student, was mistakenly deported to Honduras by U.S. authorities despite a court order that should have protected her from removal. The government acknowledged the error in court, with officials apologizing for the mix-up attributed to a misunderstanding of the judge’s order by an ICE officer. Lopez Belloza's legal representation argues the deportation violated her due process rights, with potential paths to rectify her situation still being explored.

BOSTON (AP) — The U.S. government expressed regret in a court hearing over the deportation of Lucia Lopez Belloza, a Massachusetts college student who was removed from the country just days before Thanksgiving. The incident highlights ongoing issues surrounding immigration enforcement and due process in the U.S.

Lopez Belloza, a 19-year-old freshman at Babson College, was detained at Boston’s airport on November 20 as she attempted to fly home to surprise her family for the holiday, only to be deported to Honduras two days later. This removal occurred despite a court’s emergency order directing her retention within the United States.

Currently staying with her grandparents in Honduras, Lopez Belloza is pursuing her studies remotely. Her deportation now raises concerns about whether the government acted legally, especially considering she had a pending court order on her behalf.

At a Tuesday court session, U.S. attorneys admitted the government mistakenly interpreted the order, leading to Lopez Belloza's forced removal. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Sauter spoke on behalf of the government, stating the deportation was “an inadvertent mistake” and not a willful act of defiance against the court's directives.

This case reflects a troubling trend, with numerous reports highlighting deportations occurring even when restrictions are placed by judicial authorities. Lopez Belloza's situation is not unique; similar errors have been documented in prior cases, raising questions about the reliability and oversight of removal procedures.

Legal representatives for Lopez Belloza asserted that her deportation constituted a blatant disregard for due process, urging that the government take corrective measures to rectify the situation. They proposed a potential pathway for her to return to the U.S. while efforts to address her underlying immigration status are actively pursued.

Judge Richard Stearns acknowledged the government's admission of fault but was cautious about the court's jurisdiction and whether the matter warranted further action. His acknowledgment of Lopez Belloza as a victim of bureaucratic error underscored the impacts of administrative mistakes in immigration enforcement.

With calls for the government to act in good faith and allow Lopez Belloza to resume her education, this episode serves as a resent reminder of the complexities surrounding immigration policies and the lives they affect.