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Attorneys representing a producer from Chicago's WGN television station who was briefly held by federal agents last week describe the event as "an occurrence that ought to alarm and horrify every person in this country".

Details of the Arrest

Debbie Brockman, a American national and station staff member, was taken into custody on Friday by government officers during an ICE operation in a North Side Chicago area. Videos from the location depict the producer being forced to the ground by two agents before she is restrained and placed in a vehicle.

At the time, a homeland security official stated that the individual "hurled items at an official vehicle" and was "placed under arrest for attacking an officer".

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

Attorney's Reaction

In a news release issued by lawyers representing Brockman on Tuesday, her legal team disputed the official version. They declared they "strongly refute any allegation 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 attorneys say that at the time of the detainment, the journalist was "not performing in any official role 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 Border Patrol agents.

"The individual, who is a American citizen native to the US, was forcibly held on a city street," the statement continues. "As this occurred, bystanders on the street began filming the incident and inquired Ms Brockman her name."

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

Consequences and Legal Action

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

"She has not been charged with any crimes and she plans to explore all legal options open to her to vindicate her entitlements and ensure government accountability for their actions," the statement adds.

"Brad Thomson, a legal representative, added in the statement: "If armed, masked, government officers are snatching American nationals off the street as they travel to work and throwing them in unmarked vehicles, you can only imagine what these officers must be willing to do to our foreign-born residents and individuals who dare to protest against them."

"Ms Brockman was forced down, struck, handcuffed, and her pants were pulled down exposing her bare buttocks," Thomson said. "Not anyone should be treated like that in this city, in this country or any other place in the world."

ICE, the federal agency, and the border agency did not provide a prompt reply to inquiries from the media.