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Legal representatives acting for 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 horrify every person in this country".

Details of the Arrest

The journalist, a American national and WGN employee, was taken into custody on the weekend by federal agents during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood. Videos from the scene depict Brockman being pushed down by officers before she is handcuffed and put in a vehicle.

At the moment, a government spokesperson claimed that Brockman "threw objects at border patrol's car" and was "placed under arrest for attacking an officer".

Subsequently that day, WGN announced that Brockman had been freed from detention and that no charges had been filed against her.

Legal Team's Response

In a news release issued by lawyers representing Brockman on earlier this week, her legal team 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 attorneys say that at the time of the arrest, the journalist was "not performing in any professional capacity as an staff member for the station" but that she was just "walking to the transit point as part of her morning commute when she was confronted by Border Patrol agents.

"The individual, who is a American citizen born in this country, was violently detained on Foster Avenue," the statement adds. "As this happened, individuals on the street began filming the event and inquired Ms Brockman her name."

The release indicates that she informed the onlookers her name and that she was employed at the station, in the hopes that "a person would inform her workplace so coworkers would know that she would not be arriving at work that day", her lawyers said.

Aftermath and Legal Action

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

"The individual has not been charged with any crimes and she intends to explore all legal options available to her to uphold her rights and hold the federal authorities accountable for their conduct," the release adds.

"Brad Thomson, a legal representative, added in the statement: "If armed, masked, federal agents are taking American nationals off the street as they travel to work and placing them in unmarked vehicles, you can only imagine what these agents must be willing to do to our foreign-born residents and individuals who choose to speak out against them."

"The journalist was taken to the ground, battered, restrained, and her trousers were lowered exposing her uncovered skin," the lawyer said. "Not anyone should be treated like that in this metropolis, 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 requests for comment from news outlets.