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Attorneys acting for a journalist from Chicago's local TV network who was briefly held by federal agents last week characterize the event as "something that should concern and horrify each individual in this nation".

Particulars of the Arrest

Debbie Brockman, a American national and WGN employee, was arrested on the weekend by federal agents during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement action in a North Side Chicago area. Videos from the scene depict Brockman being forced to the ground by officers before she is restrained and put in a vehicle.

At the moment, a government spokesperson stated that Brockman "threw objects at border patrol's car" and was "placed under arrest for attacking an officer".

Subsequently that day, WGN announced that Brockman had been freed from detention and that no accusations had been filed against her.

Attorney's Reaction

In a news release released by lawyers acting for the journalist on earlier this week, her legal team disputed the government's account. They stated they "adamantly deny any claim 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 moment of the arrest, Brockman was "not acting in any official role as an employee for the station" but that she was just "heading to the bus stop as part of her daily travel when she was attacked by Border Patrol agents.

"The individual, who is a American citizen native to the US, was forcibly held on Foster Avenue," the release adds. "As this happened, bystanders on the street began filming the event and asked Ms Brockman her name."

The statement indicates that she informed the bystanders her name and that she worked at the station, in the hopes that "someone would inform her workplace so colleagues would know that she would not be arriving at work that day", her lawyers stated.

Consequences and Next Steps

Based on her lawyers, Brockman was held in government detention for about several hours before being released.

"The individual has not been charged with any crimes and she intends to explore all legal options open to her to uphold her rights and hold the federal authorities accountable for their conduct," the release notes.

"One attorney, a legal representative, added in the release: "When 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 agents must be willing to do to our immigrant neighbors and people who dare to protest against them."

"Ms Brockman was taken to the ground, battered, handcuffed, and her pants were lowered revealing her uncovered skin," the lawyer said. "Not anyone should be treated like that in this city, in this nation or any other place in the world."

Immigration authorities, the Department of Homeland Security, and the border agency did not provide a prompt reply to requests for comment from the media.