ICE deports student returning home for Thanksgiving. Information about her situation.

A Massachusetts college student was deported to Honduras after trying to fly home for Thanksgiving and has now shared her experience, describing it as both shocking and disheartening.

Any Lucia Lopez Belloca, a freshman at Babson College, was stopped at Boston Logan Airport on Thursday, November 20, by federal immigration authorities. She was detained and put on a flight back to her native Honduras, according to her attorney, Todd Pomerleau.

Pomerleau explained that Lopez Belloca was informed there was an issue with her boarding pass. While heading to customer service to resolve it, she was handcuffed and escorted out of the airport.

In an interview conducted from Honduras with WCBV in Boston, Lopez Belloca said she had been traveling to Texas to see her parents before being taken into custody. She expressed her disappointment over the situation, highlighting her pride in being among the first in her family to attend college.

Background on Any Lucia Lopez Belloca

Lopez Belloca, 19, is a Babson College freshman living in Wellesley, Massachusetts. The college confirmed in a letter to students that one of its students was detained by ICE while traveling for the holiday, emphasizing their concern and support for the student and her family.

"We understand that this news may feel unsettling, particularly for our students, faculty, and staff who may already be navigating uncertainty," the letter stated. "While details are limited by law, our focus remains on supporting the student and her family."

Details of the Deportation

Lopez Bellocas father told local media that his daughter called him from the airport in tears, seeking assistance. He explained that the family had previously applied for asylum but had been assured by a judge that they were not facing deportation orders.

Pomerleau added that Lopez Belloca came to the United States at age nine and had participated in asylum proceedings with her mother that concluded in 2017. According to her attorney, the case had ended favorably, but she was never shown a warrant or given a clear reason for her detention. Later, she was told there was a removal order issued by immigration authorities.

The Department of Homeland Security stated that Lopez Belloca entered the U.S. illegally in 2014, and that an immigration judge ordered her removal in 2015. DHS claimed she had remained in the country unlawfully since then. However, Pomerleau maintains that government records indicate her case was closed in 2017.

It remains unclear whether Lopez Belloca will be allowed to return to the United States.

Author: Logan Reeves