Skokie Woman's Detention Claims at O'Hare Disputed by Authorities

Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies say woman's account of being held for nearly 48 hours does not add up.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 5:54pm

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A 28-year-old Skokie woman, Summer Sundas 'Sunny' Naqvi, claimed she was detained for nearly 48 hours after arriving at O'Hare International Airport from Istanbul. However, multiple law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Homeland Security, and county sheriff's departments, have disputed her account, stating that she was only briefly screened and left the airport on her own within 90 minutes of landing.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions and mistrust between immigrant communities and federal immigration authorities, as well as the challenges in verifying claims of improper detentions. It also raises questions about the transparency and accountability of government agencies when it comes to incidents involving alleged civil liberties violations.

The details

According to Naqvi and her supporters, she was detained at O'Hare along with five coworkers, all of South Asian descent, and then transferred to ICE facilities in Broadview, Illinois, and Dodge County, Wisconsin. However, law enforcement agencies have flatly denied these claims, stating that Naqvi was only briefly screened at the airport and left on her own within 90 minutes. Authorities also said there was no record of her being held at any local detention centers. Naqvi's attorney and some immigration advocates have expressed skepticism about the government's account, citing a history of alleged dishonesty by immigration authorities.

  • Naqvi arrived at O'Hare International Airport on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
  • Naqvi was allegedly detained at the airport and then transferred to ICE facilities in Broadview, Illinois, and Dodge County, Wisconsin.
  • Naqvi was reportedly released from the Wisconsin facility on Friday, March 6, 2026.

The players

Summer Sundas 'Sunny' Naqvi

A 28-year-old Skokie resident who claims she was detained for nearly 48 hours after arriving at O'Hare International Airport.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

The federal agency that oversees border security and immigration enforcement, which has disputed Naqvi's account of being detained.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that oversees immigration enforcement, which has also disputed Naqvi's claims.

Cook County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that searched a detention facility in Broadview, Illinois, but found no evidence of Naqvi being held there.

Dodge County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency in Wisconsin that confirmed no female inmates or detainees from the federal government were admitted or released from their facility.

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What they’re saying

“The passenger's claims are blatantly false. Ms. Naqvi departed CBP within 90 minutes of her arrival to the United States. Ms. Naqvi was not taken into custody or transferred to ICE for detention.”

— Harry Fones, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of Homeland Security

“Because no booking of Ms. Naqvi ever took place, the Sheriff's Office does not have contact information for her; however, we are asking that she contact us so we may speak with her regarding the allegation and obtain evidence of the incident from her.”

— Dodge County Sheriff's Office

“ICE has been dishonest in the past. There are thousands of people being detained for real in the United States right now.”

— Brittni Rivera, Chicago Immigration Lawyer

What’s next

Naqvi's attorney, Robert Held, has indicated that he plans to continue defending his client's account and pressing for more transparency from federal authorities regarding the incident.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in verifying claims of improper detentions by immigration authorities, as well as the need for greater accountability and transparency from government agencies when it comes to incidents involving alleged civil liberties violations.