Mass. college student deported while traveling to Texas for Thanksgiving

A college freshman trying to fly from Boston to Texas to surprise her family for Thanksgiving was instead deported to Honduras in violation of a court order, according to her attorney.

Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, 19, had already passed through security at Boston Logan International Airport on Nov. 20 when she was told there was an issue with her boarding pass, said attorney Todd Pomerleau. The Babson College student was then detained by immigration officials and within two days, sent to Texas and then Honduras, the country she left at age 7.

“She’s absolutely heartbroken,” Pomerleau said. “Her college dream has just been shattered.”

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an immigration judge ordered Lopez Belloza deported in 2015. Pomerleau said she wasn’t aware of any removal order, however, and the only record he’s found indicates her case was closed in 2017.

“They’re holding her responsible for something they claim happened a decade ago that she’s completely unaware of and not showing any of the proof,” the lawyer said.

The day after Lopez Belloza was arrested, a federal judge issued an emergency order prohibiting the government from moving her out of Massachusetts or the United States for at least 72 hours. ICE did not respond to an email Friday from The Associated Press seeking comment about violating that order. Babson College also did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Lopez Belloza, who is staying with her grandparents in Honduras, told The Boston Globe she had been looking forward to telling her parents and younger sisters about her first semester studying business.

“That was my dream,” she said. “I’m losing everything.”

Babson College has instructed faculty and staff to provide “academic and community support” to Lopez Belloza.

The college's dean of campus life, Caitlin Capozzi, informed faculty and staff of Lopez Belloza's detention Tuesday.

“Our ability to share specifics is limited by law, but please know that our focus remains on supporting the student and their family, as well as the wellbeing of our community,” the dean wrote in a message made public Monday. “Relevant faculty and staff have been informed so they can provide appropriate academic and community support in the student’s absence.”

Capozzi said the college is following protocols and staying informed, and provided links to resources for students. A message posted online from college President Stephen Spinelli said the college would not be commenting further due to legal and privacy considerations.

“We understand that this news may feel unsettling, particularly for our students, faculty, and staff who may already be navigating uncertainty," he wrote.