• Kseniia Petrova denies lying to CBP officials, stating she was not asked about biological material and that her statement contained uncorrected inaccuracies.
• DHS claims Petrova lied and planned to smuggle undeclared frog embryos, citing messages on her phone as evidence.
• Petrova's hearing may result in her release or deportation to Russia, where she fears persecution for opposing the war in Ukraine.

Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born Harvard Medical School researcher, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after allegedly failing to declare frog embryos upon entering the United States. Petrova has released a statement denying that she lied to federal officers, asserting that she was not asked about biological materials and that a written statement presented for her signature contained inaccuracies that were not corrected. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contradicts Petrova's account, stating that she planned to smuggle the materials and knowingly broke the law. Petrova faces a hearing that could determine whether she will be released or deported to Russia.

• What: Kseniia Petrova, a Harvard researcher, was detained for allegedly failing to declare frog embryos and is accused of lying to federal officers. She denies these accusations.
• Who: Kseniia Petrova (Harvard researcher), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Gregory Romanovsky (Petrova's lawyer).
• When: Petrova was arrested in February. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 7, with a follow-up in July. She has been detained for approximately 10 weeks as of late April 2025.
• Where: Boston Logan Airport (arrest location), Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, Louisiana (detention facility), Vermont (location of upcoming hearing).

The case of Kseniia Petrova highlights the complexities of immigration laws and the potential consequences for researchers. The core dispute revolves around whether Petrova intentionally misled officials or if a misunderstanding occurred. The DHS's claim of planned smuggling, based on phone messages, is a key point of contention. Petrova's situation is further complicated by her opposition to the war in Ukraine, which could put her at risk if deported to Russia. The outcome of her hearing will have significant implications for her future and potentially for the progress of her cancer research.

I never provided false information to any government official.

She knowingly broke the law and took deliberate steps to evade it.

I only want to be in the lab working on research. That is my life’s purpose. That is what I’m all about.

Kseniia Petrova's detainment by ICE remains a contentious issue, with conflicting accounts from Petrova and the DHS. Petrova maintains that she did not lie to officials and that any missteps were due to a misunderstanding and her focus on preserving her research samples. DHS asserts that she intentionally attempted to smuggle undeclared biological materials. The upcoming hearing in Vermont will be crucial in determining her fate, with the potential outcomes being release or deportation to Russia, a country where she faces potential persecution. The case raises concerns about the impact of immigration policies on scientific research and the treatment of foreign academics.