Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is still locked in conflict with another judge, as the court system stepped in to release someone detained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

While the department has been in overdrive implementing stricter deportation policies, this particular immigrant took a scientific approach to his illegality, as Newsmax reported.

Judge orders release of Harvard University researcher Kseniia Petrova from custody following her alleged smuggling of frog embryos into the country.

From the Defense

Defense attorneys for Petrova took the position that, essentially, this is all one big mistake:

“We are gratified that today’s hearing gave us the opportunity to present clear and convincing evidence that Kseniia Petrova was not carrying anything dangerous or unlawful, and that customs officers at Logan International Airport had no legal authority to revoke her visa or detain her,” said Gregory Romanovsky, Petrova’s attorney.

“At today’s hearing, we demonstrated that Kseniia is neither a danger to the community nor a flight risk, and does not belong in immigration detention,” he added.

About the Detainee

This scientist, who was born in Russia, has been detained in Louisiana by ICE for three months and had her J-1 nonimmigrant visa canceled.

Next week, Petrova will face a criminal bail hearing after U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss determined she poses no threat to the community or is a flight risk.

As reported by NBC News, Reiss voiced doubts about the validity of Petrova's visa revocation and the length of time he was detained without judicial review.

The release of Petrova from the custody of U.S. marshals is said to be contingent on a judge's decision about her bail in her ongoing federal smuggling case.

About the Importation

Petrova's lawyer has claimed that her client did not require a visa to import the materials she used in her cancer research at Harvard University.

Reporters have reached out to federal agencies for comment on the issue, but have not been successful in receiving any clarification.

This ruling adds to the growing list of victories for the jailed foreign students and professors under the Trump administration.

The decision also comes at a time when the Trump administration has announced it will cut federal funding to Harvard, and possibly restrict the institution's ability to admit foreign students beyond 15 percent of the student body due to alleged undermining of American values by the institution. Currently, the student body is made up of 27% foreign students.