Accused liar claimed she was detained by ICE for two days — but was actually at hotel getting spa treatments
A county sheriff in Wisconsin has filed a federal defamation lawsuit seeking at least $1 million in damages after a widely circulated claim that a woman had been detained by immigration authorities turned out to be false.
Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi, a 28-year-old Illinois resident and U.S. citizen, drew national attention last month after she and several supporters said she had been held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for nearly two days. According to the claims, Naqvi was detained after returning from a work trip to Turkey on March 5. The story said she was held at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for roughly 30 hours before being transferred to an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, and later to the Dodge County Jail in Wisconsin.
The allegations were amplified by Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, who described Naqvi as his best friend’s sister. Morrison shared screenshots on social media that he said showed Naqvi’s location at the jail in Juneau, Wisconsin, and criticized the supposed detention during a press conference on March 8 alongside Naqvi’s sister.
Morrison claimed that Naqvi had been released early on March 7 and left stranded without her belongings. According to that account, she had to hitchhike about nine miles to reach a hotel where family members eventually met her.
Federal officials quickly disputed the story. The Department of Homeland Security said the allegations were false and released airport surveillance footage showing Naqvi entering a secondary inspection area shortly after arriving in the United States and leaving roughly an hour later.
Officials said she spent less than 90 minutes in the inspection process and was never taken into custody or transferred to ICE.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office also reported that its records showed no evidence that Naqvi had ever been booked, detained, or released at the county jail.
Despite those statements, Morrison publicly maintained that authorities were lying and suggested officials were attempting to cover up what had happened.
Now Sheriff Dale Schmidt of Dodge County has responded with a defamation lawsuit filed in federal court. During a press conference announcing the suit, Schmidt presented documents and messages that he said show Naqvi was staying at a hotel during the period she claimed to be detained.
According to the sheriff’s office, Naqvi checked into a Hampton Inn and Suites in Rosemont, Illinois, about ten minutes from O’Hare Airport, at 1:17 p.m. on March 5. Hotel records indicate she remained there through the entire time frame in which she claimed to be held by authorities.
Text messages presented by investigators show Naqvi communicating with an unidentified witness during that period about ordering food, visiting the hotel gym, and paying for spa services. One message asked if she could use the person’s card to order food, while another said she planned to check out the gym. A separate message asked if she could use the card to pay someone providing spa services.
The witness later told investigators he drove Naqvi to a nearby gas station during the early morning hours of March 7.
Surveillance video from that stop reportedly shows Naqvi wearing the same clothing she later appeared in when a “reunited” photo was posted to Facebook only hours afterward.
Hotel records show she checked out of the Rosemont hotel on the afternoon of March 8.
Authorities in Wisconsin said they were unable to pursue criminal charges related to the claims. Instead, Sheriff Schmidt is seeking damages through the civil lawsuit.
The complaint asks for a jury trial and requests at least $1 million in damages from each defendant, including Morrison, Naqvi, and ten unidentified individuals listed as “John Does.” Schmidt says the statements harmed his reputation and the reputation of his office, particularly as he prepares for a reelection campaign in 2026.
Sam Hall, the sheriff’s attorney, said the lawsuit is intended to hold those involved accountable.
He said the case centers on what he described as a completely fabricated story that was promoted nationally by Naqvi and Commissioner Morrison. Hall also said their allegations were widely accepted without basic verification.
According to Hall, the sheriff is taking legal action to address the damage caused by what he called false claims and misinformation.
Naqvi could not be reached for comment. Morrison also did not respond to requests for comment, and it is not clear whether either has obtained legal representation.
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