Russian scientist Kseniia Petrova, detained by customs officials at Logan International Airport in Boston, is facing deportation after failing to declare samples of frog embryos she carried from France. Petrova, who fled Russia after protesting its invasion of Ukraine, is currently held at a detention center in Louisiana alongside immigrant women. The hard-line immigration policies of the Trump administration have left Petrova unable to work and awaiting deportation proceedings.
Petrova’s case has garnered attention from the scientific community, with colleagues at Harvard advocating for her release. Despite the minor customs infraction, her visa was canceled, and she now faces potential deportation to Russia, where she fears political repression. The situation has highlighted the challenges faced by immigrant scientists and the impact of changing immigration policies in the United States.
As Petrova navigates this uncertain future, her colleagues at Harvard remain concerned about her well-being and the impact on their research. The case underscores the plight of immigrants and the complexities of geopolitical tensions on individual lives.
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