A federal judge has ordered the administration of Donald Trump to facilitate the return of 19-year-old college student Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, who was deported to Honduras despite a court order blocking her removal from the United States.
Court Gives Government 14 Days to Act
U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns directed federal officials to arrange Lopez Belloza’s return within 14 days, stating that the government had acknowledged violating a judicial order when she was deported on November 22, 2025.
“Wisdom counsels that redemption may be found by acknowledging and fixing our own errors,” Stearns wrote, adding that it was time for the government to “make amends.”
Deportation Happened Despite Emergency Court Order
Lopez Belloza entered the U.S. from Honduras at age 8 and had been living in the country for more than a decade. She was detained by immigration authorities at a Boston airport during Thanksgiving travel after officials claimed she had a prior removal order—something her attorney said she did not know about.
Within hours of her detention, a federal judge ordered the government not to deport her. However, she was still placed on a flight to Honduras.
Following the deportation, Stearns initially encouraged the government to correct the mistake voluntarily and suggested she be granted a student visa.
Legal Dispute Over Authority to Issue Visa
Federal prosecutors later argued in court filings that the secretary of state does not have unilateral authority to issue visas. They also warned that even if Lopez Belloza returned to the U.S., she could face immediate detention due to a final removal order.
In his latest ruling, Stearns said an immigration court should ultimately determine her due process rights and the legality of her deportation.
Next Steps in the Case
The judge ordered federal officials to submit a status report outlining efforts to bring Lopez Belloza back to the United States.
The case has drawn attention to immigration enforcement procedures and compliance with court orders, particularly when removal actions occur under tight timelines during travel periods.
For more on student Lopez’s case, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.