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Attorneys representing a producer from the city of Chicago's WGN television station who was temporarily detained by federal agents last week describe the incident as "an occurrence that ought to alarm and horrify every person in this nation".

Details of the Detainment

Debbie Brockman, a US citizen and station staff member, was taken into custody on the weekend by government officers during an ICE action in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood. Videos from the scene show the producer being forced to the ground by officers before she is handcuffed and put in a van.

At the moment, a homeland security official claimed that the individual "hurled items at border patrol's car" and was "placed under arrest for attacking an officer".

Subsequently that day, the television station confirmed that their employee had been released from federal custody and that no accusations had been filed against her.

Legal Team's Reaction

In a news release released by attorneys representing the journalist on earlier this week, her representatives disputed the government's account. They declared they "strongly refute any claim that she assaulted anyone" and that "She was the one who was violently assaulted by officers on her way to work" on 10 October.

Her lawyers say that at the time of the detainment, the journalist was "not acting in any professional capacity as an employee for WGN" but that she was just "heading to the bus stop as part of her morning commute when she was confronted by Border Patrol agents.

"Brockman, who is a US Citizen born in this country, was violently detained on a city street," the release continues. "As this happened, individuals on the street began recording the incident and asked her her name."

The statement indicates that she told the onlookers her name and that she was employed at WGN, in the hopes that "someone would notify her workplace so colleagues would know that she would not be arriving at work that day", her lawyers said.

Aftermath and Legal Action

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

"She has not been accused with any crimes and she plans to pursue all legal options open to her to vindicate her entitlements and hold the federal authorities accountable for their actions," the release notes.

"Brad Thomson, one of her attorneys, added in the statement: "When armed, masked, federal agents are taking US citizens off the street as they travel 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 choose to speak out against them."

"The journalist was taken to the ground, battered, restrained, and her trousers were pulled down exposing her bare buttocks," the lawyer stated. "Not anyone should be treated like that in this city, in this nation or anywhere else in the globe."

ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, and the border agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the media.