Bad News for Citizen Who Said ICE Detained Her for 2 Days as Cops Uncover the Damning Real Story

An Illinois woman whose emotional claims of being detained by immigration authorities made headlines just weeks ago is now facing serious legal consequences after new evidence sharply contradicts her account.

Dale Schmidt, the sheriff of Dodge County, Wisconsin, announced he has filed a defamation lawsuit against Sundas Naqvi—also known as “Sunny” Naqvi—after determining her story falsely implicated his department.

At a press conference last week, Schmidt revealed that his office had obtained extensive documentation showing Naqvi was never in custody, despite her widely circulated claims that she had been detained by federal immigration officials for nearly two days.

“They are claiming she was in the Dodge County jail being released around this time,” Schmidt said. “Not possible.”

Evidence Contradicts Viral Narrative

Naqvi initially claimed she was detained on March 5 at O'Hare International Airport after returning from Turkey, then transferred between facilities in Illinois and Wisconsin—including a stop at the Dodge County jail.

But according to records presented by the sheriff, Naqvi was staying at a nearby hotel the entire time.

Hotel documents show she checked into a Hampton Inn & Suites just minutes from O’Hare on March 5 and remained there until March 8. Surveillance footage, text messages, and witness testimony further place her outside any form of custody during the period in question.

Among the most damaging details: messages indicating she requested to use a witness’s credit card for spa services during her supposed detention.

Video footage also captured Naqvi at a gas station in Slinger, Wisconsin, early on March 7—at nearly the same time she claimed she was being released from jail miles away.

Lawsuit Targets False Claims

Sheriff Schmidt made clear that his department would not tolerate what he described as a fabricated narrative that misled the public and tarnished local law enforcement.

“Dodge County is not the place you want to make up a hoax about,” he said.

The lawsuit seeks $1 million in damages and also names Kevin Morrison, a Democrat who had publicly amplified Naqvi’s claims during a press event.

Media Scrutiny Intensifies

The case is also raising uncomfortable questions for media outlets that initially reported Naqvi’s story with little skepticism. Early coverage portrayed her as a U.S. citizen wrongfully detained by immigration authorities, fueling outrage at a time of heightened national debate over border enforcement under President Donald J. Trump.

However, cracks in the narrative began to appear shortly after.

The Department of Homeland Security publicly disputed her account and released surveillance images showing Naqvi entering and exiting a Customs and Border Protection screening area at O’Hare—without any indication of extended detention.

Subsequent reporting included editor’s notes acknowledging the lack of evidence supporting her claims.

Broader Implications

The unraveling of Naqvi’s story is the latest in a string of high-profile incidents where emotionally charged narratives about immigration enforcement have later faced factual challenges.

Critics argue such cases contribute to public confusion and undermine legitimate concerns, while supporters of stricter immigration policies say they highlight the importance of verifying claims before amplifying them.

As legal proceedings move forward, the case may serve as a cautionary tale—not only about the consequences of making false allegations, but also about the role media and political figures play in shaping national narratives.