Wisconsin Sheriff Accuses Skokie Woman of Fabricating Immigration Detention Story

A woman from Skokie, Illinois, orchestrated an elaborate hoax last month to falsely claim she had been detained by federal immigration authorities in Wisconsin, Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt announced Friday.

During a news conference, Sheriff Schmidt detailed evidence that, according to his office, shows Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi fabricated her story about being held overnight at the Dodge County Jail and a suburban U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. Schmidt said the investigation uncovered surveillance footage, hotel records, and text messages contradicting Naqvi's account, as well as signs that cellphone location records supposedly proving her presence at the jail were likely spoofed.

Authorities say that after returning from an overseas work trip last month, Naqvi and five colleagues were reportedly detained by ICE agents at O’Hare Airport. The claim drew public attention as Naqvi’s family and supporters, including Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, held press events and shared evidence purporting to verify her detention. However, according to Schmidt, law enforcement and federal agencies later found no record of Naqvi being held at either the Broadview ICE facility or the county jail. The Department of Homeland Security released images showing Naqvi leaving a secure area at O’Hare an hour after being flagged for screening, and the software company she said she worked for confirmed she had never been employed there.

Sheriff Schmidt said he is not able to bring criminal charges against Naqvi in Wisconsin, but has referred the case to the FBI and Illinois State Police for potential further action. He also announced the filing of a $1 million federal defamation lawsuit against both Naqvi and Commissioner Morrison, citing statements made during the public campaign around Naqvi’s alleged detention.

Records additionally indicate Naqvi has a history of filing false police reports and court cases involving alleged false accusations. In a previous Cook County conviction, she was found guilty of falsely claiming to be a victim of sexual assault and sentenced to probation. Other cases in multiple jurisdictions reportedly resulted in charges for intimidation, false reporting, and aggravated unlawful restraint, although not all ended in convictions.

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing and that related complaints have been forwarded to federal and state authorities. Naqvi did not respond to requests for comment, and Commissioner Morrison declined to comment due to the pending litigation.