Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson erupts at reporter over ‘illegal aliens’ term

Democratic Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson lashed out at a reporter Friday after utilizing the time period “unlawful aliens” and labeling it “racist” and “filthy” throughout a information convention.

In a video posted Saturday to the Chicago mayor’s official Instagram account, a reporter requested Johnson a few report on metropolis spending associated to “unlawful aliens” in Chicago that he was reportedly required to undergo the White Home.

Johnson instantly pushed again on the language.

“We have no unlawful aliens,” Johnson informed the reporter. “I do not know if that is from some sci-fi entry you would like you had… Pay attention, the authorized time period for my folks was slaves. You need me to make use of that time period too? So look, let’s use the language proper. We’re speaking about undocumented people who’re human beings.”

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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., converse at a information convention on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Johnson exploded at a reporter after utilizing the time period “unlawful aliens,” calling the phrase “racist” and “nasty.” (@chicagosmayor through Instagram)

Johnson added that he wouldn’t settle for “that sort of racist, nasty language to explain folks.”

The blue metropolis mayor then moved to debate his administration’s spending priorities, touting his $16.7 billion price range, which he mentioned invests in training, transportation, housing, environmental justice, youth employment and group security.

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“And we will problem the ultra-rich to pay their justifiable share,” Johnson mentioned.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., then chimed in to assist Johnson’s feedback, arguing that immigration violations aren’t felony offenses.

Folks use their telephones to file as they argue with federal brokers at an intersection within the Cicero neighborhood throughout an immigration raid, after President Donald Trump ordered an elevated federal legislation enforcement presence to assist with crime prevention, in Chicago, October 22, 2025. (Jim Vondruska/Reuters)

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“It is extremely necessary that folks in Illinois and throughout the nation perceive that the immigration system is a civilian system,” Jayapal mentioned. “Undocumented presence in the USA isn’t a felony offense. And so thanks for the clarification on the language.”

Johnson has beforehand been outspoken in his protection of Chicago’s immigration insurance policies and in his criticism of President Donald Trump’s dealing with of crime and border enforcement.

Final month, Chicago’s mayor held a fiery information convention condemning Trump’s crackdown on crime.

President Donald Trump speaks with members of the press aboard Air Power One on October 19, 2025. Earlier this month, the White Home escalated its feud with Illinois Democratic leaders by releasing a video attacking Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. (Alex Wong/Getty Pictures)

“Prisons and incarceration and legislation enforcement are a illness that has not created protected communities,” Johnson mentioned on the time.

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Final week, three unlawful immigrants and 6 U.S. residents have been arrested within the Chicago space, in what the Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) known as “some of the violent days” of Operation Halfway Blitz.

Operation Halfway Blitz was launched final month in honor of Katie Abraham, who was killed in a drunk-driving collision allegedly attributable to Julio Cucul-Bol, an unlawful immigrant from Guatemala.

The DHS acknowledged that the aim of the operation was “to focus on felony unlawful aliens terrorizing Individuals on the Illinois reservation.”

The Chicago mayor’s workplace and Rep. Pramila Jayapal didn’t instantly reply to Fox Information Digital’s request for remark.

Fox Information Digital’s Rachel Wolf and Alexander Corridor contributed to this report.