Two years ago, Russian-born scientist Kseniia Petrova started working for Harvard Medical School's renowned Kirschner Lab after being recommended and recruited by top international scientists. Today, Petrova is being held by ICE in Louisiana, leaving her groundbreaking cancer detection research paused indefinitely.
In an interview with NBC News, the 30-year-old scientist said she was afraid of being deported to Russia. Petrova has protested against the war in Ukraine and thinks her political views could lead to possible jail time and persecution. "If you want to say something against Putin, there is no way you won't be in prison. There is no way you won't be arrested," she said.
