Fact Check: Petrova had been in custody since February, when her visa was revoked at Boston Logan International Airport.

Fact Check: "Petrova had been in custody since February, when her visa was revoked at Boston Logan International Airport."

What We Know

Kseniia Petrova, a researcher at Harvard University, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after her visa was revoked at Boston Logan International Airport on February 16, 2025. She was accused of failing to declare frog embryos she was carrying for scientific research, which led to her visa being revoked and subsequent detention in a Louisiana immigration facility (source-2, source-3). After spending several months in custody, a judge ordered her release on bail, but she still faces charges related to smuggling (source-4).

Analysis

The claim that Petrova had been in custody since February is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Washington Post and NBC News confirm that her detention began in February following the revocation of her visa at the airport. Furthermore, the New York Times and USA Today corroborate the timeline of events, detailing how customs officials detained her and initiated deportation proceedings immediately after the visa revocation.

The sources used are reputable news organizations with established editorial standards, which adds to their reliability. They provide consistent information about the circumstances surrounding Petrova's detention and the legal actions that followed. Additionally, the coverage includes statements from legal representatives and advocates, enhancing the context and depth of the reporting.

Conclusion

The claim that "Petrova had been in custody since February, when her visa was revoked at Boston Logan International Airport" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Petrova's detention began in February due to her visa revocation, and she remained in custody until her recent release on bail.

Sources

1. Russian Scientist Released After Four Months in Federal ...
2. Judge orders release of Harvard researcher charged with ...
3. Russian scientist Kseniia Petrov released from ICE custody ...
4. Judge orders Harvard scientist Kseniia Petrova released ...
5. Judge Frees Harvard Scientist ICE Tried to Deport to Russia
6. Harvard researcher charged with smuggling frog embryos ...
7. Russian Scientist Freed on Bail in U.S. After Frog Embryo ...
8. Harvard researcher released from US custody after arrest ...