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Legal representatives acting for a journalist from Chicago's local TV network who was temporarily detained by government officers last week describe the incident as "an occurrence that ought to alarm and horrify every person in this country".

Details of the Detainment

The journalist, a US citizen and station staff member, was arrested on Friday by government officers during an ICE action in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood. Footage from the location show Brockman being forced to the ground by officers before she is handcuffed and placed in a van.

At the moment, a government spokesperson claimed that the individual "threw objects at an official vehicle" and was "placed under arrest for attacking an officer".

Later on Friday, WGN confirmed that their employee had been released from federal custody and that no charges had been pressed against her.

Attorney's Response

In a news release issued by attorneys representing the journalist on Tuesday, her representatives disputed the official version. They declared they "strongly refute any allegation that she attacked anyone" and that "She was the one who was violently assaulted by officers on her way to work" on 10 October.

Her attorneys explain that at the time of the arrest, Brockman was "not performing in any professional capacity as an employee for the station" but that she was just "walking to the transit point 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 violently detained on a city street," the release adds. "As this occurred, individuals on the street began recording the event and asked Ms Brockman her name."

The statement indicates that she informed the onlookers her name and that she was employed at WGN, 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 stated.

Consequences and Next Steps

Based on her lawyers, Brockman was held in government detention for about several hours before being freed.

"The individual has not been charged with any crimes and she plans to pursue all legal options open to her to vindicate her rights and ensure government accountability for their actions," the release adds.

"Brad Thomson, one of her attorneys, added in the release: "If equipped, covered, federal agents are snatching 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 dare to speak out against them."

"The journalist was forced down, struck, restrained, and her trousers were lowered exposing her uncovered skin," Thomson said. "Not anyone should be treated like that in this city, in this nation or anywhere else in the world."

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