DHS Firmly Denies US Citizen's Allegations of Extended Detention
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a strong rebuttal to the story of Sunny Naqvi, a US citizen who claimed she was taken into custody and held for 43 hours before being released. In an official statement, the DHS asserted that Naqvi was released within 90 minutes of her arrival in the United States, directly contradicting her account.
Official Statement Details the Timeline
According to the DHS, Sunny Naqvi arrived at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago at 10:21 a.m. on March 5, 2026. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers referred her to secondary inspection based on standard law enforcement checks and conducted a baggage examination. The department emphasized that Naqvi departed CBP within 90 minutes of her arrival and was not taken into custody or transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for detention. A DHS spokesperson labeled her claims as "blatantly FALSE," underscoring the discrepancy between her narrative and official records.
Background of the Incident and Family's Account
Reports based on information from Naqvi's sister indicate that Sunny was originally supposed to travel to India, but those international plans fell through. Instead, she was part of a group of six individuals who continued with domestic travel. Upon returning to Chicago airport, all members of the group were reportedly detained due to what Naqvi's attorney described as a "curious travel history." Naqvi's family alleged that she was detained at the airport and subsequently sent to Broadview, claiming they lost track of her location while federal agents repeatedly stated she was not in custody.
Political and Legal Reactions
Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison has criticized the administration, accusing it of lying from the beginning and detaining American citizens without due process. Morrison asserted that all six individuals in the group are legally present in the US and claimed Naqvi was detained from Thursday to Saturday. He detailed that on Saturday morning, Naqvi walked to a nearby gas station and hitchhiked to a Holiday Inn for refuge before her sister could contact her. However, Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt countered this by stating that there is no record of Naqvi being booked, detained, or released from the jail, adding another layer of confusion to the case.
Implications and Ongoing Scrutiny
This incident highlights ongoing tensions and concerns regarding immigration procedures and the treatment of US citizens at ports of entry. The conflicting accounts between government officials, the individual involved, and local authorities raise questions about transparency and accountability in such situations. As the story develops, further investigations may be necessary to clarify the exact events and ensure proper protocols are followed in future cases.
