In brief
Lucia Lopez Belloza, a 19-year-old freshman at Babson College, was deported to Honduras after being detained at Boston Logan Airport on November 20, despite having a court order against her removal. The college is providing support for Lopez Belloza as she stays with family in Honduras, while her attorney raises concerns about the legality of the deportation.
CONCORD, N.H. — Babson College is rallying support for 19-year-old student Lucia Lopez Belloza, who was deported to Honduras after being detained at Boston Logan International Airport on November 20. Lopez Belloza attempted to fly home to Texas to surprise her family for Thanksgiving but was apprehended and sent to Honduras two days later, despite a court order that prohibited moving her out of Massachusetts or the U.S., according to her attorney. Lopez Belloza's family had emigrated from Honduras when she was just 7 years old, and now she is temporarily staying with her grandparents in Honduras. In an email to faculty and staff, Caitlin Capozzi, the dean of campus life, mentioned that the college's focus is on supporting Lopez Belloza and her family in this challenging time. The college's president, Stephen Spinelli, restricted further comments due to legal and privacy issues but emphasized the college's commitment to student well-being. Lopez Belloza, who is in her first year studying business at Babson, has been the subject of an immigration judge's deportation order since 2015, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. However, her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, has not been able to locate any documentation regarding this order.This incident is causing unrest among the Babson community, as many members find the situation unsettling amidst ongoing concerns regarding immigration and legal protections for students.
