World Immigration News

US judge grants Russian-born Harvard scientist bail in immigration case

Release Date: 2025-05-29
Media: Reuters
Summary: On May 28, a federal judge in Vermont ruled that the continued immigration detention of Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born scientist at Harvard University, was unjustified. Petrova had been detained at Boston’s Logan Airport in February after officials discovered frog embryo samples in her luggage and subsequently canceled her visa without clear legal or factual basis. The judge noted that the embryos were harmless and likely did not need to be declared to customs. Although the judge could not order her full release due to pending criminal charges for allegedly attempting to smuggle the samples, she ruled that Petrova should be granted bail in her immigration case, as she is neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community.

Petrova had asked to return to France at the airport, but immigration authorities instead detained her with the intent to deport her to Russia—a country she fears due to her opposition to the war in Ukraine. This case highlights the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement policies, including visa cancellations and increased detentions, particularly affecting students and researchers. Similar rulings have been made recently ordering the release of other detained students in Vermont involved in political advocacy.
Tags: United States of America

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