The Trump administration recently apologized in court for mistakenly deporting a Massachusetts college student, Any Lucía López Belloza. At just 19, she was detained at an airport while trying to fly home to Texas for Thanksgiving. This happened despite a court order that instructed the government to keep her in the U.S. for at least 72 hours.
López Belloza is currently a freshman at Babson College in Massachusetts. Her family moved from Honduras to the U.S. when she was seven. After her unexpected deportation, she’s staying with her grandparents and studying remotely. Just last month, ICE officers visited her parents’ home in Texas, acting aggressively but ultimately taking no action.
During a recent court hearing in Boston, the government argued that it wasn’t responsible because López Belloza’s attorneys filed their case too late. However, the government also admitted it violated the judge’s order. An ICE officer misunderstood the situation, believing the court order no longer applied once she left the state.
Mark Sauter, an assistant U.S. attorney, expressed regret on behalf of the government, calling it a mistake by one individual. He assured the court that it was not a deliberate act of defiance. Yet, while the administration confirmed its error, it still claimed the removal was lawful due to a 2016 immigration judge’s ruling.
López Belloza’s lawyer, Todd Pomerleau, argued that her deportation was a clear violation of the court order and denied her due process. He hoped for leniency from the government, noting, “They violated a court order.”
Federal Judge Richard Stearns acknowledged the error was unfortunate but appeared hesitant to hold the government in contempt, deeming the mistake non-intentional. He also suggested that López Belloza might consider applying for a student visa to return.
As of now, López Belloza’s story raises important discussions about immigration processes, legal rights, and bureaucratic errors. These incidents highlight the complexities of U.S. immigration law, where the implications of a single mistake can drastically affect lives.
In recent studies, nearly 60% of immigrants facing deportation feel they do not fully understand their rights. This situation underscores the need for clear communication from authorities and better legal support for individuals navigating these tricky waters.
For more on the impacts of immigration policies, you can check out this report from the American Immigration Council.
