Judge Rules CBP Overstepped Authority in Harvard Scientist Visa Revocation
A federal judge has ruled the U.S. government unlawfully canceled a Harvard researcher’s visa—but the legal fight is far from over.
According to the Associated Press, U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss found Customs and Border Protection overstepped its authority when it revoked Kseniia Petrova’s visa after she carried frog embryo samples into Boston. The court said the cancellation was “arbitrary and capricious,” rejecting the government’s justification tied to a customs violation.
The case centers on Petrova’s return from France, where she obtained biological samples for research. Officials claimed she failed to declare them, while Petrova said she didn’t know disclosure was required.
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Despite the ruling, Petrova still faces separate federal smuggling charges, leaving her immigration status unresolved.
The decision is already raising broader concerns. Legal analysts and academic institutions warn it could reshape how visa cancellations are handled, especially for foreign researchers, and may influence future disputes over due process, agency authority, and pathways to long-term residency or citizenship in the U.S.
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