CONCORD, N.H. — Lucia Lopez Belloza, a 19-year-old freshman at Babson College, found herself caught in a troubling immigration scenario after being deported to Honduras just two days following her detention at Boston’s airport on November 20. Her deportation occurred despite a court order issued on November 21 that called for her to remain in Massachusetts while legal processes were pursued.
The U.S. government, represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Sauter, argued that because Lopez Belloza was already en route to Texas when the Boston court issued its order, the judge's jurisdiction was compromised. Meanwhile, her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, contended that Lucia was completely unaware of the longstanding removal order against her and had no means to challenge it. He claimed that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) denied her crucial access to legal assistance during the deportation process, inhibiting her ability to know her rights or take action against the removal.
“ICE did not ‘spirit’ Petitioner to an unknown place or fail to disclose her whereabouts after her arrest,” Sauter asserted, explaining that she was able to contact her family to instruct them on how to file a petition. However, Lopez Belloza’s case raises serious concerns about immigrant rights, particularly regarding the treatment of minors in such legal matters.
Lopez Belloza arrived in the U.S. with her family in 2014 and was purportedly subjected to an immigration order without her personal knowledge. According to court records, a judge mandated her removal along with her mother back in March 2016, with subsequent appeals dismissed within the next year. Pomerleau criticized past legal counsel, claiming they misled Lopez Belloza’s family about the gravity of the situation.
Currently residing with her grandparents in Honduras, Lopez Belloza plans to complete her freshman year online with Babson College. Pomerleau is expected to respond formally to the case by December 11, advocating for what he describes as a remarkable young woman who deserves a bright future despite her present challenges.}
The U.S. government, represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Sauter, argued that because Lopez Belloza was already en route to Texas when the Boston court issued its order, the judge's jurisdiction was compromised. Meanwhile, her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, contended that Lucia was completely unaware of the longstanding removal order against her and had no means to challenge it. He claimed that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) denied her crucial access to legal assistance during the deportation process, inhibiting her ability to know her rights or take action against the removal.
“ICE did not ‘spirit’ Petitioner to an unknown place or fail to disclose her whereabouts after her arrest,” Sauter asserted, explaining that she was able to contact her family to instruct them on how to file a petition. However, Lopez Belloza’s case raises serious concerns about immigrant rights, particularly regarding the treatment of minors in such legal matters.
Lopez Belloza arrived in the U.S. with her family in 2014 and was purportedly subjected to an immigration order without her personal knowledge. According to court records, a judge mandated her removal along with her mother back in March 2016, with subsequent appeals dismissed within the next year. Pomerleau criticized past legal counsel, claiming they misled Lopez Belloza’s family about the gravity of the situation.
Currently residing with her grandparents in Honduras, Lopez Belloza plans to complete her freshman year online with Babson College. Pomerleau is expected to respond formally to the case by December 11, advocating for what he describes as a remarkable young woman who deserves a bright future despite her present challenges.}
