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Attorneys acting for a producer from the city of Chicago's local TV network who was briefly held by federal agents last week describe the event as "something that should concern and frighten every person in this country".

Particulars of the Arrest

The journalist, a US citizen and WGN employee, was taken into custody on Friday by federal agents during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in a North Side Chicago area. Videos from the location show Brockman being pushed down by officers before she is handcuffed and put in a vehicle.

At the moment, a government spokesperson claimed that the individual "hurled items at border patrol's car" and was "placed under arrest for assault on a federal law enforcement officer".

Subsequently that day, the television station confirmed that Brockman had been freed from detention and that no accusations had been filed against her.

Legal Team's Response

In a news release released by lawyers acting for the journalist on Tuesday, her legal team disputed the government's account. They stated they "adamantly deny any allegation that she assaulted anyone" and that "Brockman was the one who was physically attacked by federal agents on her way to work" on 10 October.

Her attorneys say that at the time of the arrest, Brockman was "not performing in any official role as an employee for WGN" but that she was just "heading to the transit point as part of her morning commute when she was confronted by Border Patrol agents.

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

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

Consequences and Next Steps

According to her legal team, Brockman was held in government detention for about several hours before being freed.

"The individual has not been charged with any crimes and she plans to explore all legal avenues available to her to uphold her rights and ensure government accountability for their actions," the release adds.

"One attorney, a legal representative, added in the release: "When armed, covered, government officers are taking American nationals off the street as they travel to work and throwing them in unmarked vehicles, you can only imagine what these officers must be willing to do to our foreign-born residents and individuals who dare to speak out against them."

"Ms Brockman was forced down, battered, restrained, and her trousers were lowered exposing her uncovered skin," the lawyer stated. "No one should be handled like that in this metropolis, in this country or anywhere else in the globe."

ICE, the federal agency, and the US Customs and Border Protection did not immediately respond to inquiries from news outlets.