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Legal representatives representing a journalist from the city of Chicago's local TV network who was briefly held by federal agents last week describe the incident as "something that should concern and frighten every person in this nation".

Particulars of the Arrest

The journalist, a American national and WGN employee, was taken into custody on Friday by government officers during an ICE operation in a North Side Chicago area. Footage from the location show the producer being pushed down by two agents before she is handcuffed and put in a van.

At the moment, a government spokesperson stated that the individual "threw objects at border patrol's car" and was "detained for assault on a federal law enforcement officer".

Later on Friday, the television station announced that Brockman had been freed from detention and that no charges had been pressed against her.

Attorney's Reaction

In a news release issued by attorneys representing Brockman on earlier this week, her representatives challenged the government's account. They stated they "strongly refute any allegation that she attacked anyone" and that "Brockman was the one who was violently assaulted by federal agents on her way to work" on the date in question.

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

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

The release indicates that she told the bystanders her name and that she worked at WGN, in the hopes that "someone would inform her workplace so coworkers would know that she would not be arriving at work that day", her attorneys stated.

Consequences and Legal Action

Based on her lawyers, the journalist was kept in federal custody for about several hours before being freed.

"She has not been accused with any offenses and she intends 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, one of her attorneys, added in the release: "If equipped, covered, federal agents are taking American nationals off the street as they travel to work and throwing them in non-descript cars, you can only conceive what these agents must be prepared to do to our immigrant neighbors and individuals who choose to speak out against them."

"The journalist was forced down, struck, handcuffed, and her trousers were pulled down exposing her uncovered skin," Thomson stated. "Not anyone should be treated like that in this city, in this country or anywhere else in the world."

ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, and the US Customs and Border Protection did not immediately respond to requests for comment from news outlets.