Judge Mandates U.S. Assist Erroneously Deported Student’s Return

Jordi Bashirian

Published: February 13, 2026 10:24 PM ET

Judge Mandates U.S. Assist Erroneously Deported Student’s Return

A federal judge has mandated that the U.S. government return a college student to the United States after a wrongful deportation. The order was issued on February 6 by Judge Richard G. Stearns of the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts. Any Lucia López Belloza, a 19-year-old freshman at Babson College, was mistakenly deported to Honduras despite a judicial stay on her removal.

Background of the Case

Ms. López was detained on November 20, 2022, at Boston Logan International Airport. She was preparing to return home to Houston for Thanksgiving when immigration authorities intervened. Two days later, she was flown to Honduras, despite a court order issued on November 21 preventing her deportation pending her case review.

Judicial Findings

In January, a federal prosecutor acknowledged that an error by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer led to Ms. López’s deportation. The officer failed to activate a system that would have prevented her removal despite the pending legal review of her case. Judge Stearns referred to this situation as a “bureaucratic fumble.”

Government Response

This recent ruling comes after the government initially hesitated to rectify the situation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied a request for an expedited visa for Ms. López, complicating her return process. In a court filing, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley described issuing a new visa as “unfeasible.”

Next Steps Following Judge’s Order

The court requires the government to report on its efforts to facilitate Ms. López’s return by February 18, with a follow-up on February 26 if necessary. Christina Sterling, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts, stated that they are reviewing the order.

Ms. López had a previous deportation order but was unaware of it.
Since her deportation, she has been living with her grandmother in Honduras.
She maintains her studies at Babson College remotely, facing challenges with her coursework.

Potential Consequences for Non-Compliance

Judge Stearns emphasized the importance of compliance from the government. Should they fail to facilitate Ms. López’s return by the deadline, the ruling clarifies that a contempt citation could be pursued. Legal experts highlight this case as significant, pointing out that the actions of the government have raised questions about their adherence to court orders.

As the situation unfolds, Ms. López’s attorney, Todd Pomerleau, believes the court’s order represents a positive step toward correcting the government’s mistake.