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Attorneys representing a journalist from the city of Chicago's local TV network who was briefly held by federal agents last week describe the event as "an occurrence that ought to concern and frighten each individual in this nation".

Details of the Arrest

The journalist, a US citizen and station staff member, was taken into custody on Friday by federal agents during an ICE operation in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood. Footage from the location show the producer being pushed down by officers before she is handcuffed and placed in a van.

At the time, a government spokesperson stated that Brockman "hurled items at an official vehicle" and was "placed under arrest for attacking an officer".

Later on Friday, the television station announced that Brockman had been released from federal custody and that no accusations had been filed against her.

Legal Team's Reaction

In a news release issued by lawyers representing Brockman on earlier this week, her legal team disputed the official version. They declared they "adamantly deny any allegation that she assaulted anyone" and that "She was the one who was physically attacked by federal agents on her way to work" on 10 October.

Her lawyers say that at the time of the arrest, Brockman was "not acting in any professional capacity as an employee for the station" but that she was just "walking to the transit point as part of her daily travel when she was confronted by federal officers.

"The individual, who is a American citizen born in this country, was violently detained on a city street," the statement continues. "As this occurred, bystanders on the street began filming the event and asked her 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 employer so colleagues would know that she would not be arriving at work that day", her lawyers stated.

Consequences and Next Steps

According to her lawyers, the journalist was held in government detention for about seven hours before being released.

"She has not been accused with any crimes and she plans to pursue all legal options open to her to uphold her entitlements and ensure government accountability for their conduct," the statement notes.

"One attorney, a legal representative, added in the release: "When armed, masked, federal agents are taking American nationals off the street as they walk to work and throwing them in non-descript cars, you can only imagine what these officers must be prepared to do to our immigrant neighbors and individuals who dare to speak out against them."

"The journalist was forced down, struck, 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 country or any other place in the globe."

ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, and the border agency did not provide a prompt reply to inquiries from the media.