An Illinois woman is facing a $1 million defamation lawsuit after publicly claiming she was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for nearly two days — allegations that authorities say are false.
According to the New York Post, 28-year-old Sundas Naqvi stated that she was detained by ICE agents for 43 hours after returning from a work trip to Turkey on March 5. She claimed she was held for 30 hours at Chicago O’Hare International Airport before being transferred to an ICE facility in Broadview and later to Dodge County Jail. Her claims gained traction online and drew public concern.
Officials Dispute Timeline
Commissioner Kevin Morrison shared screenshots of Naqvi’s alleged location on Facebook and held a press conference alongside her sister on March 8. He stated that Naqvi had been released on March 7 and later hitchhiked to a hotel. However, the Department of Homeland Security pushed back against the claims, calling them false.
DHS reportedly released airport surveillance footage showing Naqvi leaving O’Hare approximately 90 minutes after arriving in the United States. Dale Schmidt, the Dodge County Sheriff, has now filed a federal defamation lawsuit seeking at least $1 million in damages. During a press conference, Schmidt said additional evidence showed Naqvi checked into the Hampton Inn and Suites Rosemont during the time she allegedly claimed to be detained.
“She checked into the Hampton Inn and Suites in Rosemont, Ill., for the entire duration of this alleged event,” Schmidt said, while displaying text messages and a hotel bill.
The lawsuit names Naqvi, Commissioner Morrison, and 10 unidentified “John Does” allegedly involved in spreading the claims.