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Attorneys representing a journalist from Chicago's local TV network who was temporarily detained by government officers last week characterize the incident as "an occurrence that ought to concern and frighten every person in this country".

Particulars of the Arrest

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

At the time, a homeland security official claimed that Brockman "threw objects at an official vehicle" and was "placed under arrest 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 Reaction

In a statement released by attorneys acting for Brockman on earlier this week, her representatives disputed the official version. They declared they "adamantly deny any claim that she assaulted 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 attorneys say that at the moment of the detainment, Brockman was "not acting in any official role as an employee for the station" but that she was just "walking to the bus stop as part of her daily travel when she was confronted by federal officers.

"Brockman, who is a US Citizen native to the US, was violently detained on a city street," the release continues. "As this occurred, individuals on the street began filming the incident and inquired her her name."

The statement indicates that she informed the bystanders her name and that she worked at WGN, in the hopes that "a person would inform her workplace so colleagues would know that she would not be coming at work that day", her lawyers said.

Aftermath and Legal Action

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

"The individual has not been charged with any crimes and she intends to explore all legal options open to her to vindicate her rights and ensure government accountability for their actions," the release adds.

"Brad Thomson, one of her attorneys, commented in the statement: "If armed, covered, federal agents are snatching American nationals off the street as they travel to work and placing them in unmarked vehicles, you can only conceive what these officers must be prepared to do to our immigrant neighbors and people who choose to speak out against them."

"Ms Brockman was forced down, battered, restrained, and her trousers were lowered exposing her bare buttocks," the lawyer stated. "Not anyone should be treated like that in this city, in this nation or anywhere else in the globe."

Immigration authorities, the federal agency, and the border agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the media.