Dodge County Sheriff Sues Woman Over Fabricated ICE Hoax

Investigation and evidence

The sheriff’s office says weeks of tracing and record review produced a verified timeline that contradicts Naqvi’s account that she was held by federal authorities from March 5–8, 2025.

According to the complaint, U.S. Customs and Border Protection documentation shows Naqvi entered secondary inspection at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport at about 10:46 a.m. on March 5 and was released roughly an hour later at 11:42 a.m. Investigators report no record of transfer to any other agency or place of detention after that release — Fox News.

Hotel records are central to the sheriff’s account: the complaint states Naqvi checked into the Hampton Inn & Suites in Rosemont, Illinois at 1:17 p.m. on March 5 and remained there through March 8. The hotel folio cited documents room charges and transactions placing her at that location during the period she later claimed to be in custody — Fox News.

Investigators also reference surveillance video and phone-location data that do not place Naqvi inside any Dodge County facility. WhatsApp messages from March 5–8 are cited as evidence she was actively communicating from the hotel — discussing food, work, daily activities and asking to use a card to order food. Sheriff Schmidt highlighted messages referencing spa services, noting the Broadview facility Naqvi named has no spa and that “there is no spa lady in our jail here in Dodge County” — Fox News.

“The public timeline put forward was not physically possible,” Sheriff Schmidt told reporters, saying his office found no booking record, release paperwork or witness statements placing Naqvi in Dodge County custody.

Public amplification and the Jussie Smollett comparison

The lawsuit follows widespread public attention and social media posts that amplified Naqvi’s allegations. The complaint names Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison for publicly asserting Naqvi and others had been transported across state lines by immigration agents, a claim the complaint says the sheriff’s records do not support — Fox News.

Social media comparisons to the 2019 Jussie Smollett case circulated online; that earlier incident involved Smollett staging a false hate crime, later characterized as a hoax. For background, see the Jussie Smollett entry.

Federal agencies and prior statements

The Department of Homeland Security previously stated Naqvi’s claims were false. Sheriff Schmidt said his office shared findings with the FBI, the Illinois State Police and federal partners. The complaint notes that while criminal charges may be difficult to pursue, the sheriff’s office sought to correct the record after negative attention and accusations against local staff — Fox News.

Schmidt also referenced earlier law-enforcement contacts involving Naqvi; the sheriff’s office cited a prior report by Naqvi that investigators had determined was unfounded and included that context in the complaint.

Legal action and what the lawsuit alleges

In the federal complaint, Sheriff Schmidt asks the court to address the public harm he says followed Naqvi’s allegations. The filing lays out the evidence investigators gathered and accuses Naqvi of making false statements that led to public distrust and accusations against Dodge County personnel.

The complaint details statements by Commissioner Morrison and argues those public claims helped spread the narrative of secret interstate transport by immigration agents. The sheriff seeks relief through federal court to differentiate fact versus fiction after what he described as widespread attention to an unverified story — Fox News.

Implications for United States

Economic and local government impact

The case illustrates how false or unverified claims can divert law enforcement resources in rural counties like Dodge, where staff time spent on high‑profile investigations can reduce resources for routine patrols, jail operations and community services. Coverage described the matter as a “Sheriff sues ICE hoax,” raising questions about response costs tied to social media claims — Fox News.

Political consequences

The matter crossed county and state lines, drawing officials and activists into debate. Public accusations of misconduct can deepen distrust between communities and local officials and may prompt elected leaders to be more cautious before making public claims without clear verification.

Social and community effects

False reports can strain relationships among immigrant communities, local governments and federal agencies. They can also undermine credibility for legitimate complaints and make it harder for real victims to be believed. The sheriff’s timeline and evidence-based rebuttal aim to protect local law-enforcement integrity and reassure residents about record-checking practices.

Practical applications for residents

Residents and journalists are reminded to verify primary records—airport logs, hotel folios, messages and surveillance—before spreading unverified allegations. The sheriff’s office said it will share evidence with federal partners and asked the public to await results from those reviews.

Reporting and next steps

Sheriff Schmidt said his office seeks to correct the record and protect employees from unsupported accusations. The investigation remains active; the sheriff’s office has provided findings to the FBI and Illinois investigators and will cooperate with outside reviews. Whether prosecutors will pursue criminal charges was unclear when the suit was filed — Fox News.

For context on public comparisons to staged incidents, see background on the 2019 Jussie Smollett case — Jussie Smollett.