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Attorneys acting for a producer from Chicago's local TV network who was temporarily detained by federal agents last week describe the incident as "something that should alarm and frighten each individual in this country".

Particulars of the Detainment

The journalist, a American national and WGN employee, was taken into custody on the weekend by government officers during an ICE action in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood. Footage from the scene show the producer being pushed down by officers before she is restrained and placed in a van.

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

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

Legal Team's Reaction

In a news release issued by lawyers representing the journalist on Tuesday, her representatives challenged the official version. They stated they "strongly refute any claim that she assaulted anyone" and that "She 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 acting in any professional capacity as an employee for the station" but that she was just "heading to the bus stop as part of her morning commute when she was attacked by federal officers.

"Brockman, who is a US Citizen born in this country, was forcibly held on Foster Avenue," the statement continues. "As this occurred, individuals on the street began filming the event and asked Ms Brockman her name."

The statement indicates that she informed the onlookers her name and that she worked at WGN, in the hopes that "someone would inform her workplace so colleagues would know that she would not be coming at work that day", her attorneys stated.

Consequences and Legal Action

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

"The individual has not been charged with any offenses and she intends to pursue all legal avenues open to her to uphold her rights and ensure government accountability for their actions," the release notes.

"Brad Thomson, one of her attorneys, commented in the release: "When armed, masked, 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 officers must be willing to do to our immigrant neighbors and people who dare to speak out against them."

"The journalist was forced down, battered, restrained, and her pants were lowered exposing her bare buttocks," Thomson said. "No one should be handled like that in this city, in this country or any other place in the world."

Immigration authorities, the Department of Homeland Security, and the US Customs and Border Protection did not provide a prompt reply to requests for comment from news outlets.