Petrova has been detained by U.S. immigration authorities since mid-February 2025 after customs agents stopped her at Boston's Logan Airport upon her return from France for failing to declare biological material.

U.S. Attorney Leah Foley stated that the law applies equally to all individuals, regardless of their educational background, in relation to Petrova's case.

Colleagues describe Petrova as a highly dedicated researcher, with her supervisor highlighting her as the best he has encountered in his 20 years at Harvard.

Her detention has raised significant concerns within the scientific community regarding its implications for American leadership in scientific innovation, particularly as she conducts crucial anti-aging and cancer research.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has supported Petrova, emphasizing her case as part of a broader pattern of targeting international students and researchers by the federal government.

Petrova's legal team argues that her failure to declare the frog embryos was inadvertent and that such violations typically result in fines rather than detention.

The case has gained national media attention, including an essay by Petrova published in The New York Times, where she expressed her desire to return to her work.

A GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $100,000 to support Petrova since its launch, reflecting widespread public support.

Petrova is suing the Department of Homeland Security for revoking her visa, claiming that the charges against her are intended to portray her as a criminal to facilitate her deportation.

Despite support from several Nobel laureates and 17 U.S. senators advocating for her release, authorities cite concerns about her being a flight risk and a security threat.

The case has drawn public condemnation, with many advocating for a reevaluation of the government's approach to immigration enforcement, particularly regarding foreign academics.

This incident highlights the ongoing efforts of ICE and CBP to ensure national security while raising questions about the treatment of international researchers in the U.S.