Federal Judge Orders Release of Harvard Researcher from ICE Custody
A federal judge has ordered the release of Kseniia Petrova, a prominent Harvard Medical School researcher, from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after a lengthy battle over her deportation. The ruling, made by District Court Judge Christina Reiss during a bail hearing in Vermont, is seen as a significant victory for Petrova, who has been detained since February following allegations of failing to declare frog embryos brought into the U.S. for her research.
Judge Reiss cited “clear and convincing evidence” that Petrova posed no security risk and was not likely to flee. Petrova’s legal team expressed relief, asserting that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had no legal authority to detain her. However, the ruling does not end her legal struggles. Recently, the government introduced criminal smuggling charges against her, and she has since been transferred to criminal custody.
While her release order was granted, Reiss denied a request to prevent ICE from re-detaining Petrova if she receives bail on the new charges. The bail hearing for these charges has yet to be scheduled, but it is expected to occur soon in Massachusetts.
Petrova’s detention has ignited public outcry, garnering support from 17 U.S. senators and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell. Legal representatives have maintained that her arrest was without merit, contending that the CBP acted unlawfully in revoking her visa.
Testimony during the hearing included input from experts and colleagues, affirming Petrova’s character and the harmless nature of the frog samples in question. Although Petrova attended via Zoom without speaking, she appeared relieved as support flooded in from those vouching for her.
While her future remains uncertain, the ruling marks a pivotal moment in her ongoing fight for residency in the United States.
————————————————————————
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
————————————————————————
