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Attorneys acting for a producer from the city of Chicago's WGN television station who was temporarily detained by federal agents last week characterize the event as "something that should concern and frighten every person in this nation".

Details of the Arrest

Debbie Brockman, a American national and station staff member, was arrested on the weekend by federal agents during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood. Videos from the scene show Brockman being pushed down by officers before she is handcuffed and put in a van.

At the moment, a government spokesperson stated that Brockman "threw objects at an official vehicle" and was "placed under arrest for attacking an officer".

Subsequently that day, WGN confirmed that their employee had been released from federal custody and that no accusations had been filed against her.

Attorney's Reaction

In a statement released by attorneys representing Brockman on Tuesday, her legal team disputed the government's account. They declared they "adamantly deny any allegation that she assaulted anyone" and that "Brockman was the one who was violently assaulted by officers on her way to work" on the date in question.

Her lawyers explain that at the moment of the detainment, the journalist was "not performing in any professional capacity as an employee for WGN" but that she was just "heading to the bus stop as part of her morning commute when she was attacked by Border Patrol agents.

"The individual, who is a US Citizen born in this country, was forcibly held on Foster Avenue," the release adds. "As this happened, individuals on the street began recording the incident and inquired Ms Brockman her name."

The statement says that she informed the bystanders her name and that she was employed at WGN, in the hopes that "someone would notify her employer so coworkers would know that she would not be coming at work that day", her attorneys stated.

Consequences and Legal Action

Based on her legal team, the journalist was kept in government detention for about seven hours before being freed.

"The individual has not been accused with any crimes and she intends to explore all legal avenues open to her to uphold her rights and ensure government accountability for their actions," the statement adds.

"Brad Thomson, a legal representative, added in the statement: "If armed, covered, government officers are taking US citizens off the street as they travel to work and placing them in unmarked vehicles, you can only imagine what these officers must be prepared to do to our immigrant neighbors and individuals who dare to protest against them."

"Ms Brockman was taken to the ground, struck, restrained, and her trousers were lowered exposing her uncovered skin," the lawyer stated. "No one should be treated like that in this metropolis, in this nation or anywhere else in the globe."

ICE, the federal agency, and the US Customs and Border Protection did not provide a prompt reply to requests for comment from the media.