There’s a heated debate brewing after the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents arrested a Chicago TV producer last Friday, and some legal experts are raising flags about whether this action violated a recent court order.
Debbie Brockman, who works for WGN-TV, was taken in by border agents while she was in a residential neighborhood of Chicago.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) verified her arrest, citing charges of assaulting a federal officer. This was echoed by WGN-TV, which referred to the involvement of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the arrest; however, they also clarified that no formal charges had been filed against Brockman.
According to Mark Joseph Stern, a senior courts writer for Slate, it looks like her arrest might directly violate a temporary restraining order that specifically prevents DHS officers from taking action against journalists. Stern noted on Bluesky that those involved in her arrest could indeed face contempt of court charges.
What’s the Big Deal?
The focus on immigration enforcement by agents has ramped up significantly since the Trump administration, leading to widespread protests throughout Chicago.
Earlier this week, a federal judge in Chicago slapped a temporary restraining order on federal agents, forbidding them from using riot control methods against journalists or protesters who aren’t threatening law enforcement. This ruling from District Judge Sara Ellis also restricts federal agents from making arrests, threatening arrests, or using force against journalists unless there’s clear evidence of a crime.
Key Takeaways
Videos popping up on social media capture the moment a woman, confirmed to be Debbie Brockman, is forcibly subdued by officers donning masks before they put her in handcuffs and load her into a silver van. In those clips, you can hear bystanders calling out that the agents are acting like “fascists” and demanding that they leave the area.
Eyewitnesses told WGN that another individual had been arrested seconds before Brockman and was already in the van when she was brought in. Community members suggested the border agents were targeting men working on properties nearby. Notably, Brockman is a U.S. citizen, as confirmed by her workplace.
Stern also shared the language from the temporary restraining order, which states: “The defendants, their personnel, or anyone acting with them are blocked from arresting or using force against anyone they recognize as a journalist, barring probable cause” that the individual has committed a crime.
As of now, Newsweek hasn’t found any video demonstrating Brockman assaulting federal agents.
Reactions to the Incident
Tricia McLaughlin, who manages public outreach for the DHS, weighed in, stating: “The border patrol was carrying out immigration operations when some individuals attempted to impede officers and used their vehicles against them.”
She continued, “In an effort to ensure safety, our agents struck a suspect’s car to create distance. During this, Debbie Brockman allegedly threw objects at our vehicle, leading to her arrest for assault on a federal officer. This issue reflects a troubling pattern of illegal immigrants resisting arrest violently, coupled with growing aggression against our law enforcement officers—all amid the ongoing government shutdown due to the Democrats.”
In regard to Brockman’s situation, WGN released a statement: “A creative services employee from WGN-TV was detained by ICE. She has since been released, with no charges against her. We will maintain her privacy and not comment further on this incident.”
Local resident Josh Thomas described witnessing the chaotic scene: “I heard shouting and honking, ran downstairs, and saw Border Patrol agents forcefully bringing a woman down. She identified herself as a WGN employee.”
Another neighborhood local, Giordana Mahn, expressed her concerns: “I’m intimidated by what’s happening in my community. If they’re doing this to a non-Black, non-brown person, just imagine what they’re doing to everyone else.”
What Comes Next?
WGN reported that Brockman was let go from federal custody around 3 PM on Friday, with zero charges filed against her. As of that evening, the spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney in Chicago confirmed that no action has been taken against Brockman regarding this incident.
