Dodge County sues Skokie woman in alleged ICE detention hoax; sheriff cites hotel records, video and messages that contradict her claims
Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt filed a federal lawsuit accusing Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi, a U.S. citizen from Skokie, Ill., of fabricating a claim she was detained by ICE March 5–8; investigators say hotel, CBP, video and messages contradict her account.
Key takeaways
- Sheriff filed suit. Sheriff Dale Schmidt alleges Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi made false claims of ICE detention; reporting cites Fox News.
- Records contradict claims. CBP entries, a Rosemont hotel folio, surveillance video, phone-location data and WhatsApp messages place Naqvi at a hotel during much of March 5–8.
- Complaint targets amplifiers. The suit also disputes public figures who amplified the allegations, including statements by Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison.
- Investigation ongoing. The sheriff shared findings with federal and state authorities; no criminal charges in Dodge County have been announced to date.
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What investigators say they found
Sheriff Dale Schmidt’s office reconstructed a timeline from multiple agency records. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection records, Naqvi entered secondary inspection at O’Hare International Airport at about 10:46 a.m. on March 5 and was released at roughly 11:42 a.m. Federal authorities, the sheriff’s office says, reported she was not detained or transferred after leaving the airport.
Investigators note Naqvi checked into the Hampton Inn & Suites in Rosemont, Illinois at 1:17 p.m. the same day. The hotel folio listed room charges and transactions from March 5–8 — the window she later said she was in custody. Surveillance video, phone data and that folio, the sheriff’s office says, were consistent with her being at the hotel rather than at any Dodge County facility.
Messages and other records
Investigators highlighted WhatsApp messages from the period showing Naqvi actively communicating from the hotel about food, work and daily activities. At one point she appears to request use of a card to order food and later references spa services. Sheriff Schmidt said:
“Now, I don’t know about you, and my staff have never reported one — there is no spa at Broadview in Chicago, Illinois… there is no ‘spa lady’ in the Dodge County Jail.”
The sheriff’s office reports there is no record of booking, detention or release involving Ms. Naqvi in Dodge County, and officials said there was no coordination with federal or out-of-state agencies that would explain her alleged detention in Wisconsin. The reconstructed timeline, investigators say, is “not physically possible” given the records.
Legal action and public claims
The federal lawsuit seeks to address what Sheriff Schmidt described as false public narratives that harmed the department and its employees. The complaint disputes statements made by Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, who publicly alleged cross-state transfers by immigration agents and accused the sheriff’s office of a cover-up.
Schmidt’s filing argues the public statements damaged the reputation of the sheriff’s office and misled the public. The sheriff’s findings have been shared with the FBI and Illinois State Police, and the investigation remains active. The sheriff’s office has not announced criminal charges in Dodge County; the complaint could, however, lead to criminal referrals if prosecutors find evidence warranting them.
Social media amplification and the “Smollett” comparison
Social-media users compared the episode to the Jussie Smollett case, calling it a hoax. Posts from accounts including Libs of Chicago and others labeled Naqvi’s claims as “Skokie’s very own Jussie Smollett” or “Jussie Smollett-esque,” which the sheriff cited as part of the wave of attention driving the investigation.
For context, Smollett’s 2019 claim of a racist, homophobic attack in Chicago was later treated by prosecutors as staged; he was convicted in 2021 on counts of filing a false report, though that conviction was overturned in 2024 on Fifth Amendment grounds after Illinois Supreme Court review. See Jussie Smollett background: Wikipedia and Jussie Smollett overview: A&E for more.
Why the sheriff says he sued
Schmidt told reporters his intent was to put verified facts on the record after widespread attention to unverified allegations. The sheriff said his office sought to protect staff and correct public impressions that Dodge County coordinated with federal authorities to detain people across state lines. The complaint, the sheriff said, aims to restore the record and address reputational harm to the department and its employees.
What’s next
At this stage the sheriff’s office has filed a civil suit and shared evidence with federal and state investigators. The case could lead to criminal charges if prosecutors find evidence of unlawful acts. For now, the complaint and sheriff’s remarks frame the events as an alleged “Dodge County ICE detention hoax” examined in court filings; the sheriff’s office has not detailed any criminal referrals or pending charges.
Implications for San Diego
Though the events occurred in Wisconsin and Illinois, local officials in places such as San Diego may feel the ripple effects of high-profile, disputed claims about immigration detentions. The sheriff’s filing and media attention illustrate several local implications:
- Economic impact: False reports can consume staff time and resources at government and nonprofit agencies that serve immigrants, straining budgets and diverting attention from services for asylum seekers and migrants.
- Political consequences: High-profile claims amplified on social media can intensify scrutiny and pressure on elected officials from both parties, and prompt calls for oversight even when records later conflict with initial allegations.
- Social effects: Publicized, disputed claims may erode trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement or federal agencies, potentially making it harder for genuine victims to be believed.
- Cultural relevance and practical advice: San Diegans should prioritize verification — rely on official statements, document incidents, report through established channels, and support legal-aid nonprofits that help navigate immigration and criminal-justice systems.
Sources and further reading
- Fox News, “Sheriff sues woman who allegedly made ICE detention claim, enjoyed ‘spa day,’ compared to Jussie Smollett”
- Jussie Smollett background: Wikipedia
- Jussie Smollett overview: A&E
Reporting from Juneau, Wisconsin. Times Media Service
