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Attorneys representing a producer from the city of Chicago's local TV network who was briefly held by government officers last week characterize the event as "something that should concern and horrify every person in this country".

Details of the Arrest

The journalist, a American national and station staff member, was taken into custody on the weekend by federal agents during an ICE action in a North Side Chicago area. Videos from the scene show the producer being pushed down by officers before she is restrained and put in a vehicle.

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

Later on Friday, 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 news release issued by lawyers representing Brockman on earlier this week, her representatives disputed the government's account. They declared they "strongly refute any claim that she attacked anyone" and that "She was the one who was physically attacked by officers on her way to work" on the date in question.

Her lawyers explain that at the time of the detainment, Brockman was "not performing in any professional capacity as an employee for WGN" but that she was just "walking to the bus stop as part of her morning commute when she was confronted by federal officers.

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

The statement says that she told 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 attorneys said.

Aftermath and Next Steps

Based on her lawyers, the journalist was held in federal custody for about seven hours before being released.

"The individual has not been accused with any crimes and she plans to explore all legal options open to her to vindicate her entitlements and hold the federal authorities accountable for their actions," the statement notes.

"One attorney, a legal representative, commented in the release: "If equipped, masked, federal agents are snatching US citizens off the street as they travel to work and placing them in non-descript cars, you can only conceive what these officers must be willing to do to our immigrant neighbors and individuals who choose to speak out against them."

"The journalist was forced down, battered, restrained, and her trousers were lowered exposing her bare buttocks," Thomson stated. "Not anyone should be handled like that in this metropolis, in this nation or anywhere else in the world."

ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, and the border agency did not immediately respond to inquiries from news outlets.