DHS says deported Babson student skipped flight. Her lawyers say agents wanted to detain her

6 days ago 3

By LEAH WILLINGHAM, Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — The court-ordered deadline for the U.S. government to return a Babson College freshman mistakenly deported to Honduras was set to expire at midnight Friday, as her lawyers accused federal officials of stalling and said she had been pressured to board a flight that could have resulted in her detention.

Her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, said his legal team is prepared to continue fighting the case through appeals and vowed that 19-year-old Any Lucia Lopez Belloza “is not coming back in handcuffs.”

Lopez Belloza, who has no criminal record and has been studying remotely from Honduras, said she will remain there for now as her legal team continues to press for her return.

“No one should have to feel this powerless. All I’m asking is for honesty and fairness,” she said, speaking to reporters Friday via Zoom. “I’m asking to be treated like a human with rights.”