Wisconsin Sheriff Sues Woman Over Disputed ICE Detention Claims

Dodge County Sheriff alleges Sundas 'Sunny' Naqvi made 'unverified, uncorroborated and misleading' claims about being held by immigration authorities.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:09pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting depicting an empty government office or detention center space, with warm sunlight streaming in through the windows and casting deep shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation around the complex issues of immigration policy and law enforcement accountability.As tensions over immigration enforcement escalate, a disputed detainment case exposes the fragility of public trust in law enforcement.Evanston Today

A Wisconsin sheriff is suing Sundas 'Sunny' Naqvi, a Skokie resident born in Evanston, for defamation over her claims that she was detained for over 40 hours by federal immigration officials at three locations, including the Dodge County Jail. The sheriff presented evidence that Naqvi was actually checked into hotels in Illinois and Wisconsin during the time she said she was in custody.

Why it matters

The case highlights ongoing tensions over immigration enforcement and the impact of unverified claims on law enforcement reputations and public trust. It also raises questions about the transparency and accountability of federal immigration agencies.

The details

Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt alleged that Naqvi's claims were false and that surveillance footage and hotel records showed she was not detained by his office. Schmidt said he is suing Naqvi and Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, who held a news conference supporting Naqvi's story, arguing their actions damaged his office's reputation.

  • On March 5, Naqvi claimed she was detained after landing at O'Hare International Airport.
  • On March 8, community leaders held a news conference demanding transparency about Naqvi's case.
  • On April 10, Sheriff Schmidt held a news conference presenting evidence refuting Naqvi's claims.

The players

Sundas 'Sunny' Naqvi

A Skokie resident who was born in Evanston and claimed she was detained by federal immigration authorities for over 40 hours.

Dale Schmidt

The Dodge County Sheriff who is suing Naqvi for defamation, alleging she made 'unverified, uncorroborated and misleading' claims about being held in his jail.

Kevin Morrison

A Cook County Commissioner who held a news conference supporting Naqvi's claims, and is also being sued by Sheriff Schmidt.

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What they’re saying

“At no point was Sundas Naqvi in the custody of the Dodge County Sheriff's Office. Accountability is not optional — it is essential. Allegations of this nature carry significant consequences and impact to reputations, resources and the public trust that I have with my community when those claims are not supported.”

— Dale Schmidt, Dodge County Sheriff

What’s next

The judge will decide whether to allow the defamation lawsuit filed by Sheriff Schmidt against Naqvi and Commissioner Morrison to proceed.

The takeaway

This case highlights the delicate balance between the public's right to transparency around immigration enforcement and the need for verified information to maintain trust in law enforcement. It also underscores the potential consequences of making unsubstantiated claims, even if done with good intentions.