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Legal representatives representing a journalist from Chicago's local TV network who was temporarily detained by federal agents last week describe the event as "something that should alarm and frighten every person in this country".

Details of the Arrest

Debbie Brockman, a American national and station staff member, was arrested on Friday by federal agents during an ICE operation in a North Side Chicago area. Videos from the scene depict Brockman being pushed down by two agents before she is handcuffed and placed in a vehicle.

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

Later on Friday, WGN announced that their employee had been freed from detention and that no accusations had been filed against her.

Attorney's Response

In a statement released by attorneys acting for the journalist on earlier this week, her representatives disputed the official version. They declared they "strongly refute any allegation 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 time 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 transit point as part of her daily travel when she was attacked by federal officers.

"The individual, who is a American citizen born in this country, was violently detained on a city street," the release continues. "As this happened, individuals on the street began filming the event and inquired her her name."

The statement indicates that she told 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 lawyers said.

Aftermath and Next Steps

Based on her legal team, Brockman was held in federal custody for about several hours before being freed.

"She has not been charged with any offenses and she intends to explore all legal options open to her to uphold her rights and ensure government accountability for their actions," the statement adds.

"Brad Thomson, a legal representative, added in the statement: "If equipped, covered, federal agents are taking American nationals off the street as they walk to work and placing them in non-descript cars, you can only imagine what these officers must be willing to do to our immigrant neighbors and people who choose to speak out against them."

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

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