The Journal: How Frog Embryos Landed a Scientist in ICE Detention

Host: The Wall Street Journal & Gimlet
Published by: Spotify and The Wall Street Journal
Release Date: April 22, 2025
Hosts: Kate Linebaugh, Ryan Knutson, and Jessica Mendoza

Introduction

In this gripping episode of The Journal, hosted by Jessica Mendoza, listeners delve into the unnerving story of Ksenia Petrova, a distinguished scientist whose pursuit of knowledge led her into the harsh reality of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention. This comprehensive summary captures the key moments, discussions, and insights from the episode, providing a detailed overview for those who haven't listened.

Background: Meet Ksenia Petrova

Ksenia Petrova, a 30-year-old scientist originally from Russia, is a graduate of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. Specializing in bioinformatics—a field that merges biology, computer science, and mathematics—Ksenia's expertise was highly sought after in the United States. In 2023, she secured a J1 visa to work at Harvard Medical School's Systems Biology department, focusing on groundbreaking research involving Xenopus frog embryos.

Ksenia Petrova (04:00): "The only thing which I really enjoy in my life is science. And this is what I was dedicated to. And I was spending almost all my time in the lab and I was interested in biology and I would like to become a good scientist someday."

The Incident: From Lab to Detention

Ksenia's promising career took an unexpected turn during a trip to Paris in February 2025. While there to learn a new technique for preparing Xenopus embryos, she inadvertently became entangled in a customs dispute that would alter her life.

After attending a concert and engaging in work-related activities at a Parisian lab, Ksenia attempted to return to Boston with valuable frog embryo samples in her luggage. Upon arrival at Logan Airport, Boston, her luggage was inspected by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.

Ksenia Petrova (07:28): "They were looking through my bag, and they took out the samples. And they were asking me all the questions about the samples. What are they from? What kind of species are these animals? What are they for?"

Initially, the officers were polite and inquisitive, but the situation escalated when a second, more aggressive officer took over the inspection, leading to the revocation of Ksenia's visa.

Ksenia Petrova (08:28): "She didn't tell me her name, and what is her job and occupation. She just again started asking me the same questions and other questions, many, many questions, not in very polite form. And after this investigation, which she made, she told me that my visa is canceled."

Life in ICE Detention

Following the visa revocation, Ksenia was detained by ICE and transferred to a detention center in Louisiana. The conditions described by Ksenia paint a bleak picture of her daily life behind bars:

Ksenia Petrova (01:37): "The food is absolutely terrible. It's very, very unhealthy. It's like really bad quality McDonald's food."

The detention center is overcrowded, with approximately 90 individuals sharing a single large room. The environment is noisy, making concentration and sleep difficult, and the constant surveillance fosters a sense of unease among detainees.

Ksenia Petrova (02:33): "It's like life with 90 people in the same room. It's very noisy all the time. It's really hard to concentrate. It's hard to sleep. Sometimes it's hard to think you can't belong to yourself."

Legal Proceedings and Asylum Claim

Ksenia's detention marks a significant escalation from what, under normal circumstances, would be a minor legal issue—typically resulting in a $500 fine. Immigration lawyer Michelle Hackman highlights the disproportionate response in Ksenia's case:

Michelle Hackman (09:08): "Under the law, what she did should result in a $500 fine."

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleged that Ksenia knowingly violated immigration laws, citing messages on her phone as evidence. However, both Ksenia and her lawyer deny these allegations. When questioned about notifying the Russian government—a suggestion made by ICE officers—Ksenia expressed fear due to her past political involvement in Russia.

Michelle Hackman (10:30): "That was the point where she said, oh, my gosh, please don't do that. You know, it's not safe for me in Russia."

Ksenia's plea of fear-based deportation triggered an asylum claim, setting her on a legal path fraught with uncertainty. Her first appearance before an immigration judge occurred after two months in custody, and her future remains uncertain as she awaits the outcome of her asylum case.

Ksenia Petrova (17:13): "And after that, she said me that I will be passed to ICE. And they put me in a cell in the airport for one night, and they didn't tell me anything about what will happen to me."

Broader Context: Immigration Policies and Their Impact

Michelle Hackman provides insight into the wider implications of Ksenia's case, noting a trend of increased detentions for minor immigration violations:

Michelle Hackman (14:31): "There are a lot of cases of people being stopped coming into the country at airports and at land borders... now it's like a maximum. You know, once there's even a tiny problem, you are in detention or you're being deported as fast as possible."

This shift reflects the Trump administration's stringent immigration stance, emphasizing rapid detentions and deportations, even for lawful visa holders facing minor infractions. The scientific community, among others, feels the chilling effect of these policies, with professionals like Ksenia fearing that unintentional mistakes could jeopardize their careers and lives.

Michelle Hackman (15:41): "Sent shockwaves through the scientific community... People are terrified. I mean, people feel like anything they do that's wrong, even inadvertently, could be held against them."

Personal Struggles and Uncertainty

Beyond the legal battles, Ksenia grapples with personal fears about her future and safety. Her experiences reflect a profound sense of not belonging and fear of hostile environments both in the US and her homeland.

Ksenia Petrova (18:18): "So if I will be sent back to Russia. I'm also worried that I will be arrested and imprisoned because of my political opinion... because there's no judges there, there is no court, just President Putin and his madness."

Additionally, Ksenia expresses disillusionment with the US, feeling unwelcome and unsafe despite seeking refuge.

Ksenia Petrova (19:01): "I mean, of course, it makes me afraid, feeling like I'm not really welcome here, feeling that everything can happen to me and America is not really interested to help me."

Conclusion

Ksenia Petrova's story is a poignant example of the complex and often harsh realities faced by immigrants and visa holders in the United States. Her journey from a respected scientist to an ICE detainee underscores the profound personal and professional risks associated with stringent immigration policies. As Ksenia awaits the outcome of her asylum case, her narrative serves as a testament to the human cost of bureaucratic rigidity and the fragile intersection of science, politics, and immigration law.

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