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Attorneys representing a journalist from the city of Chicago's WGN television station who was briefly held by federal agents last week characterize the incident as "something that should concern and frighten each individual in this nation".

Details of the Arrest

Debbie Brockman, a US citizen and station staff member, was taken into custody on Friday by federal agents during an ICE action in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood. Footage from the scene depict the producer being forced to the ground by officers before she is restrained and put in a vehicle.

At the time, a government spokesperson stated that Brockman "hurled items at an official vehicle" and was "detained for assault on a federal law enforcement officer".

Subsequently that day, the television station confirmed that Brockman had been released from federal custody and that no charges had been filed against her.

Legal Team's Response

In a news release issued by lawyers representing the journalist on Tuesday, her legal team disputed the official version. They declared they "strongly refute any allegation that she attacked 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 acting in any professional capacity as an employee for WGN" but that she was just "heading to the bus stop as part of her daily travel when she was attacked by federal officers.

"The individual, who is a US Citizen native to the US, was forcibly held on Foster Avenue," the statement adds. "As this happened, bystanders on the street began filming the incident and inquired Ms Brockman her name."

The statement says that she told the onlookers her name and that she worked at the station, in the hopes that "a person would notify her employer so coworkers would know that she would not be arriving at work that day", her attorneys said.

Aftermath and Next Steps

Based on her legal team, Brockman was kept in federal custody for about several hours before being released.

"She has not been accused with any crimes and she plans to explore all legal options open to her to uphold her entitlements and hold the federal authorities accountable for their actions," the release adds.

"Brad Thomson, a legal representative, commented in the statement: "When armed, covered, federal agents are snatching American nationals off the street as they travel to work and throwing them in non-descript cars, you can only conceive what these officers must be prepared to do to our foreign-born residents and people who dare to protest against them."

"The journalist was forced down, battered, handcuffed, and her trousers were pulled down exposing her bare buttocks," the lawyer said. "Not anyone should be treated like that in this city, in this country or any other place in the globe."

ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, and the border agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the media.