Student detained by ICE while flying home for Thanksgiving
By Emily Maher, Jennifer Eagan, Tim Nazzaro
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BOSTON (WCVB) — A Babson College student wanted to surprise her parents on Thanksgiving by flying out to Texas to meet them.
Instead, she was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Any Lucia Lopez Belloca, 19, was at Logan Airport on Nov. 20 when she was informed for the first time that she had a removal order from immigration authorities, according to her lawyer, Todd Pomerlau.
At 4 p.m., she called her family and told them she was being held at the ICE field office in Burlington.
As of Wednesday, she is currently in Honduras.
“When she got to the airport to board her flight, she was asked to step aside by federal agencies because they alleged that she had a final order of removal,” said Nayna Gupta, a member of the American Immigration Council. “These are folks who may have received removal notices when they were children and were never told.”
In a statement, an ICE spokesperson said:
“On Nov. 20, 2025, Officers with ICE and CBP Boston arrested Any Lucia Lopez Belloca, an illegal alien from Honduras, at Logan International Airport Boston when attempting to board a flight.
Lopez Belloca unlawfully entered the United States from Mexico. A Justice Department immigration judge ordered Lopez Belloca removed from the United States on June 2, 2015. Lopez Belloca was removed from the United States to Honduras on Nov. 22, 2025.
Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE is committed to prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from American communities.”
Babson College sent a letter to its student body Monday, confirming one of its students was detained by federal immigration authorities while traveling home for Thanksgiving.
“We understand that this news may feel unsettling, particularly for our students, faculty, and staff who may already be navigating uncertainty,” the letter read. “Our ability to share specifics is limited by law, but please know that our focus remains on supporting the student and their family, as well as the wellbeing of our community.”
The college says it is following established protocols for situations involving federal authorities.
It is also providing resources for students, faculty and staff impacted by the incident.
According to a habeas corpus lawsuit, Belloca entered the United States through Mexico in 2014 with her family and without inspection. She was 8 years old at the time.
Belloca was arrested by ICE officers later that year but released on personal recognizance.
At some point after her entry, Belloca’s lawyer says she applied for asylum.
In 2017, allegedly without Belloca’s knowledge, she was ordered to be removed from the country. She was 11 years old at the time and continued living in the United States without incident.
The lawsuit claims Belloca’s Fifth Amendment right to due process was violated during her detainment.
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