Jessica Mendoza

For the past two years, Ksenia has been devoted to her work at the lab in Boston. Her boss said that he'd have to beg her to go home after work. But earlier this year, in February, Ksenia decided to take a break by going to Paris to see a concert.

For the past two years, Ksenia has been devoted to her work at the lab in Boston. Her boss said that he'd have to beg her to go home after work. But earlier this year, in February, Ksenia decided to take a break by going to Paris to see a concert.

Even on vacation, Ksenia couldn't help getting some work done. Her boss at Harvard had arranged for Ksenia to visit a lab in Paris. The lab had figured out a new way to prepare Xenopus frog embryos for study. Ksenia hoped she could learn this new technique and maybe even bring back some samples to Boston.

Even on vacation, Ksenia couldn't help getting some work done. Her boss at Harvard had arranged for Ksenia to visit a lab in Paris. The lab had figured out a new way to prepare Xenopus frog embryos for study. Ksenia hoped she could learn this new technique and maybe even bring back some samples to Boston.

Even on vacation, Ksenia couldn't help getting some work done. Her boss at Harvard had arranged for Ksenia to visit a lab in Paris. The lab had figured out a new way to prepare Xenopus frog embryos for study. Ksenia hoped she could learn this new technique and maybe even bring back some samples to Boston.

Right. But it didn't happen. At the end of her trip, Ksenia packed those samples into her luggage, and she headed for Boston Logan Airport, frog embryos in tow. When she landed in the U.S., Ksenia went through passport control, showed her visa, and was admitted into the country. And then she went to pick up her bags.

Right. But it didn't happen. At the end of her trip, Ksenia packed those samples into her luggage, and she headed for Boston Logan Airport, frog embryos in tow. When she landed in the U.S., Ksenia went through passport control, showed her visa, and was admitted into the country. And then she went to pick up her bags.

Right. But it didn't happen. At the end of her trip, Ksenia packed those samples into her luggage, and she headed for Boston Logan Airport, frog embryos in tow. When she landed in the U.S., Ksenia went through passport control, showed her visa, and was admitted into the country. And then she went to pick up her bags.

The officer from Customs and Border Protection led Ksenia to another room to inspect her luggage.

The officer from Customs and Border Protection led Ksenia to another room to inspect her luggage.

The officer from Customs and Border Protection led Ksenia to another room to inspect her luggage.

As she was being questioned, Ksenia says another customs officer came in and took over her luggage inspection. That was when things took a turn.

As she was being questioned, Ksenia says another customs officer came in and took over her luggage inspection. That was when things took a turn.

As she was being questioned, Ksenia says another customs officer came in and took over her luggage inspection. That was when things took a turn.

Ksenia's visa was revoked, and suddenly she was stuck in immigration limbo, all because of those frog embryos.

Ksenia's visa was revoked, and suddenly she was stuck in immigration limbo, all because of those frog embryos.

Ksenia's visa was revoked, and suddenly she was stuck in immigration limbo, all because of those frog embryos.

That's our colleague Michelle Hackman. She covers immigration and has been following a recent rise in cases where visa holders end up in detention.

That's our colleague Michelle Hackman. She covers immigration and has been following a recent rise in cases where visa holders end up in detention.

That's our colleague Michelle Hackman. She covers immigration and has been following a recent rise in cases where visa holders end up in detention.