Changes in the atmosphere
Petrova’s return flight from Paris landed in Boston on the evening of February 16th. As the plane sat on the tarmac, she exchanged messages with Dr. Peshkin regarding the handling of a package at customs. However, the passengers had already disembarked the plane, so Petrova cut the conversation short.
Initially, Petrova felt her re-entry was normal. At Passport Control, officials verified her J-1 visa sponsored by Harvard and recognized her as a biomedical researcher. Her passport was stamped, and she was acknowledged by the state.
As she made her way to retrieve her package, Border Patrol officers approached her and requested to search her suitcase. Her biggest concern was that the embryo sample inside would be compromised, as RNA is easily damaged. She admitted her lack of knowledge about the rules. The officer, in a polite manner, informed her that she was allowed to proceed.
Subsequently, another officer entered the room, and the tone of the conversation shifted, according to Petrova. This officer asked detailed questions about Petrova’s work and travel history in Europe. Petrova was then informed that her visa had been revoked and was questioned about her fear of being deported to Russia.
“Yes, I’m afraid to return to Russia,” she expressed, as per a Homeland Security Department transcript provided by her attorney. “I fear that the Russian Federation will harm me for protesting against them.”
Petrova’s lawyer, Greg Romanovsky, acknowledged her violation of customs regulations but argued that it was a minor offense punishable by forfeiture and fines.
Romanovsky emphasized the need for agents to establish a valid basis for revoking her visa and contended that violation of customs regulations was not sufficient justification. Lucas Gattentag, a professor at Stanford Law School, concurred and criticized the government for creating an improper immigration status that led to Petrova’s detention.
credit…M. Scott Brauer of the New York Times
A DHS spokesperson questioned the cancellation of Petrova’s visa and cited the discovery of Petri dishes and vials of embryonic stem cells in the package without proper authorization during a dog inspection.
The spokesperson asserted that individuals were detained legally after lying to federal officers about bringing biological materials into the country. Petrova’s cell phone messages indicated intentions to smuggle materials through customs without declaration, demonstrating a deliberate violation of the law.
Following the cancellation of Petrova’s visa by Border Patrol agents, she became an undocumented immigrant amidst the immigration policies of the Trump administration. She was held at the Richwood Detention Center, awaiting a hearing to present her asylum case before an immigration judge.
Romanovsky filed a petition for her release in federal court, urging ICE to grant her parole. He pleaded for compassion, suggesting that under different circumstances, Petrova would have been released much earlier.
Petrova spent last month in a dormitory with bunk beds, coping with the cold and receiving limited outdoor time. She shared her observations on the diverse group of women around her, highlighting the harsh conditions they all experienced.
She challenged her preconceived notions of the US compared to her experiences in Russia, expressing disbelief at the treatment she and others received. Petrova emphasized the need for basic rights for all individuals, even immigrants under detention.
Empty bench
Source: www.nytimes.com
