Judge: Harvard researcher charged with smuggling frog embryos was unlawfully detained by ICE

In Vermont, a federal judge has released a Russian-born scientist and Harvard University researcher from immigration custody after she faced charges for smuggling frog embryos into the United States. Colleagues and academics testified in support of Kseniia Petrova, praising her valuable research in advancing cancer cures. Michael West, a biotech industry scientist, commended Petrova’s work and expressed interest in hiring her. Petrova, 30, is currently in U.S. Marshals Service custody in Louisiana and is expected to be brought to Massachusetts for a bail hearing next week. The charges stem from Petrova obtaining frog embryo samples in France and not declaring them upon entering the U.S. Despite the immigration officers’ actions being deemed unlawful by Judge Christina Reiss, Petrova’s lawyer sought assurance against re-detention by ICE. The U.S. Department of Justice stated they have no plans to re-arrest Petrova at this time. The Department of Homeland Security accused Petrova of lying to federal officers about smuggling substances into the country, which Petrova denies. Harvard University stated they are monitoring the situation closely.