After ‘Unlawful Detention’ Claims Unravel, Wisconsin Sheriff Sues Woman and IL Commissioner for Defamation
Anti-ICE advocates do anything and everything they can to try to paint law enforcement in a bad light, even peddle a false story.
Now, Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt is suing an Illinois woman and a politician for defamation after her story about being transferred to Schmidt’s jurisdiction in Wisconsin for an immigration hold has unraveled.
Illinois resident Sundas Naqvi, 28, a U.S.-born citizen, garnered national attention last month after she and five traveling companions returned to the U.S. on March 5 from a work trip.
Naqvi claims she was held by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at O’Hare International Airport for 30+ hours, and was then moved to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Illinois, before finally being transferred to the Dodge County Jail in Wisconsin. She claims she was ultimately released without her belongings.
Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison affirmed her claims, telling WISN 12 News at the time, “They have been lying from the very start of this. I don’t think they want to own up to the fact that, once again, they have illegally detained an American citizen without due process.”
The story was used as an example to slander ICE with accusations of indiscriminately arresting Americans, and was amplified on social media.
Sundas (Sunny) Naqvi, a 28-year-old South Asian-origin #US citizen, was detained by the Department of Homeland Security for 43 hours over what her attorney believed was a “curious travel history”.
Read here https://t.co/ow8v2SshUh pic.twitter.com/b1vNouBM2H
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) March 10, 2026
Naqvi’s story, however, quickly unraveled.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and CBP released photos and security footage showing Naqvi entering a secondary inspection at O’Hare and then leaving the area on her own shortly afterward.
DHS noted on X, “HERE ARE THE RECEIPTS: As we said Sunny Naqvi entered the CBP area at 10:21 am.”
“Surveillance footage from O’Hare CLEARLY shows her entering secondary inspection at 10:46 a.m., and leaving secondary to the public area at 11:42 a.m.”
“Her claims of spending 43 hours in DHS custody are FALSE.”
HERE ARE THE RECEIPTS:
As we said Sunny Naqvi entered the CBP area at 10:21 am.
Surveillance footage from O’Hare CLEARLY shows her entering secondary inspection at 10:46 a.m., and leaving secondary to the public area at 11:42 a.m.
Her claims of spending 43 hours in DHS custody… https://t.co/GkqWBLS6sn pic.twitter.com/SWOJmMulcy
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 11, 2026
The passenger’s claims are blatantly FALSE.
Sunny Naqvi, arrived at O’Hare at 10:21 a.m. on March 5, 2026. CBP officers referred her to Secondary, for additional inspection based on law enforcement checks and conducted a baggage exam. Ms. Naqvi departed CBP within 90 minutes of… https://t.co/bzI2agd2FV
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 10, 2026
Sheriff Schmidt investigated Naqvi’s claims and uncovered that hotel records show she checked into the Hampton Inn & Suites in Rosemont, Illinois, near the airport, for the duration of the alleged detention.
Additionally, surveillance footage and other records place her in Wisconsin with an acquaintance (including shopping at a gas station), not in custody.
Sheriff Schmidt stated that she was never in Dodge County Sheriff’s custody, nor was she ever transported across state lines by authorities, and his office has compiled evidence that can be viewed here.
On April 10, 2026, Sheriff Schmidt filed a $1 million defamation lawsuit against Naqvi and Morrison in federal court, alleging they spread false claims that damaged his and the department’s reputation.
According to CBS News Schmidt stated, “I don’t have any charges here in Dodge County to bring against her. My only recourse is to make sure that the public knows that she can’t do this.”
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