DHS Refutes American Citizen’s Allegations of Detention in Wisconsin Facility

Federal Authorities Refute Woman’s Claims of Detention and Transfer to Wisconsin Facility

Federal authorities have categorically denied allegations made by a 28-year-old U.S. citizen who claimed she was detained by immigration agents at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and subsequently transferred to a detention facility in Wisconsin.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a statement on Tuesday directly addressing the claims made by Sunny Naqvi, describing them as “blatantly FALSE.” According to DHS officials, Naqvi was processed through Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within 90 minutes of her arrival in the United States on March 5, 2026.

“Ms. Naqvi arrived at O’Hare at 10:21 a.m. on March 5, 2026. CBP officers referred her to Secondary for additional inspection based on law enforcement checks and conducted a baggage exam,” the DHS stated in their social media response. “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.”

WMTV 15 attempted to verify the timeline presented by DHS by requesting surveillance footage from O’Hare International Airport. However, this request was denied, with DHS referring back to their original statement without providing additional evidence or documentation.

Adding to the dispute, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin has also contradicted Naqvi’s account. Officials stated they have no records indicating Naqvi was ever held at the Dodge County Jail, which houses immigration detainees through agreements with federal authorities.

The case has raised questions about digital evidence, as Naqvi’s claims were partially supported by what appeared to be location data showing her phone at the Wisconsin detention facility. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office suggested this digital evidence could have been falsified or manipulated.

Robert Held, Naqvi’s attorney, acknowledged he couldn’t personally verify the technical authenticity of the location data. “I’m an unskilled IT person,” Held told reporters, noting that the screenshots of her purported location were sent directly to him by Naqvi’s sister, Sara Afzal.

The conflicting accounts highlight the challenges of verifying claims in the digital age, where location data and other electronic information can potentially be altered. It also underscores the tension that exists between immigration enforcement agencies and critics concerned about detention practices.

This incident comes amid ongoing national debates about immigration enforcement and the treatment of both citizens and non-citizens at U.S. ports of entry. Civil rights organizations have documented numerous cases where U.S. citizens have experienced extended questioning or detention due to confusion over their immigration status or identity.

Immigration policy experts note that secondary inspections, like the one Naqvi underwent, are standard procedure when additional verification is needed, though they typically do not result in transfers to detention facilities for U.S. citizens.

Neither Naqvi nor her sister has publicly responded to the denials from federal authorities. Their original allegations, which sparked the controversy, included specific claims about transportation to Wisconsin and conditions at the facility—details that both DHS and local authorities maintain never occurred.

As the dispute continues, questions remain about what actually transpired during Naqvi’s entry into the United States and why such dramatically different accounts exist between federal authorities and the traveler.