Student in Trouble: Why a College Girl Can’t Return Home

A young woman from Honduras, a former Babson College student, finds herself stranded far from home due to an administrative mishap by U.S. immigration officials.

The Incident

• Travel Plans: She was en route to Texas for Thanksgiving.
• Airport Interruption: At the airport, she was halted and returned to Honduras.
• Judicial Intervention: A judge had previously ruled that this action was wrongful.

Legal Developments

• Judge’s Directive: The judge gave the government until Friday to correct the mistake and issue a visa for her return.
• Department Stance: The Justice Department maintains that the woman is “inadmissible” and refuses to allow her reentry.
• Official Position: Immigration officials assert they cannot help because she was removed under a court order mandating her departure.
• Lawful Removal: They claim the removal complied with U.S. law.

Potential Outcomes

• Court Authority: The judge, appointed by a former Democratic president, can order compliance or face civil contempt proceedings.
• Legal Battle: The student’s lawyer vows to continue fighting in court until she is allowed back.

Personal Impact

• Family Ties: Her family awaits her return in Honduras.
• Misunderstanding: She asserts she was unaware of the requirement to leave.
• Current Status: The student remains with her grandparents in Honduras, hoping for a swift return.

Recent Apology

Last month, a government lawyer apologized, acknowledging that an officer failed to notice the court order, leading to the error.