Johnson Calls 'Illegal Alien' Racist, Posts Clip Online

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson rebuked a reporter for using the term "illegal aliens," calling it "racist" and "nasty" and saying "we don't have illegal aliens," in a clip he posted to his official Instagram. The reporter had asked about a report the city was allegedly required to file with the White House on spending related to migrants, prompting Johnson to insist on the term "undocumented individuals" and to warn against dehumanizing language, likening such terminology to historical slavery. He used the exchange to spotlight his $16.7 billion budget priorities—education, transportation, housing, youth employment, environmental justice and public safety—and vowed to press the ultra-wealthy to pay more. Rep. Pramila Jayapal supported Johnson at the event, saying immigration violations are civil rather than criminal and thanking him for clarifying language. Conservative outlets and commentators framed the exchange as politically charged and tied it to Chicago's sanctuary-city policies and past moves to limit federal immigration enforcement, and the clip circulated widely online.