Lucía López is a 19-year-old business student at Babson College in Massachusetts. Just a few months ago, she witnessed her own traumatic deportation back to her native Honduras. Her story highlights the complexities of the U.S. immigration system and raises questions about due process and the treatment of individuals seeking education and safety.
López, a native of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, first came to the U.S. with her family in 2014. At the same time, her hometown of Ciudad Juárez was known as one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Foes of the administration commonly referred to it as the murder capital. The López family escaped their violent barrio La Pradera, overwhelmed by gang violence and extortion.
For almost ten years, López’s home was with her aunt in the United States, where she attended High School, support her family back home. She started her first semester at Babson College this past August 2023, ready to hustle and create a life she’s proud of, full of opportunity. She remarked moving to Wisconsin was lonely, but at least she had her parents and two younger sisters come visit her.
Tragically, on November 22, López was arrested at an airport and deported back to Honduras within 48 hours, despite having no criminal record. During her deportation, she was shackled at her wrists, ankles and waist — a procedure so dehumanizing she later told Congress that it turned her into an animal.
“It’s very unfair what was done to me,” said López. I came to U.S to study and work hard.
As her attorney Todd Pomerleau explained, López’s case is indicative of a dangerous immigration system that has failed. The situation today with respect to Ms. Duterte’s deportation has been an unconstitutional horror show.
“If that isn’t unconstitutional, I don’t know what is,” – Todd Pomerleau
In its released records, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) admitted that López first entered the U.S. in 2014. In 2015, the judge from her immigration court hearing ordered her removed. The DHS argued that she had unlawfully overstayed her period of authorized stay since then.
Pomerleau maintained that there’s still a shot at López’s return. In a note of optimism, he said there was a chance for the reconsideration of government.
“It’s possible the government will say: ‘Sorry, we made a mistake here, and we’re going to bring her back.’ That would be the easy and reasonable thing to do.” – Todd Pomerleau
He admitted that a tougher line was within reach. This would have called for a robust legal theory demonstrating that López’s rights had been violated.
“But they might have a different approach, and that’s going to require me to make a forceful argument that the court order was violated and demand a remedy,” – Todd Pomerleau
For now, López is living with her grandparents in San Pedro Sula. As she processes her unexpected return, she is hopeful about what lies ahead.
“I want to be the most positive, strong person that I can be,” she said of her new normal.
Her ambitions are high as well. For the immediate future, López hopes to pursue graduate study in Honduras or receive clearance to go back to Babson College.
“I want to be able to move forward and maybe continue my studies, whether here [in Honduras] or by finishing my semester at the university. And one day, to be able to see my parents and my family again,” – Lucia López
Pomerleau emphasized the reasons pushing López’s migration to the U.S. Most importantly, he astutely noted that these justifications were indicative of the plight of thousands of other immigrants escaping violence and hardship.
“Her mum brought her here because of how horrific the circumstances were in Honduras, where gang members were killing and extorting people … They came here just like the Pilgrims 400 years ago, for a better life and to escape persecution,” – Todd Pomerleau
As the case unfolds, Pomerleau remains committed to advocating for López’s rights, stating emphatically:
“We’re not stopping until we get her back.” – Todd Pomerleau