Woke Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sparked controversy during a press conference on October 24, 2025. When a reporter used the term “illegal aliens” while inquiring about city spending, Johnson quickly interjected. “We don’t have illegal aliens,” he responded, labeling the phrase a “science-fiction” term. His remarks stirred significant debate about the language surrounding immigration.
In an unexpected leap, Johnson compared the term “illegal aliens” to the historical legal designation of “slaves,” which raises serious questions about the appropriateness of such comparisons. He stated, “The legal term for my people were slaves. You want me to use that term, too?” This analogy seems to overlook the complexity of both terms and their historical contexts. The mayor argued the phrasing is “racist, nasty,” insisting on using the term “undocumented individuals that are human beings.”
Johnson’s remarks were made in tandem with support from U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who backed his stance by emphasizing that immigration violations are civil offenses, not criminal. The duo’s attempt to reshape the conversation about immigration language reflects a larger trend among some politicians to dictate terminology when discussing immigration issues.
Juxtaposed with Johnson’s comments was another recent incident: the arrest of Radule Bojovic, a police officer in Hanover Park, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Bojovic, a Montenegro native, was apprehended for unlawfully residing in the country, having overstayed his tourist visa that expired in 2010. Despite this, he was employed legally in 2023 after passing a background check. The timing of the arrest does not correlate with Johnson’s remarks, yet it underscores the ongoing enforcement actions by ICE in the Chicago area.
The mayor’s focus on language appears to sidestep pressing issues such as law enforcement and public safety, areas where illegal immigration has been a topic of concern. While the mayor champions a reframed terminology, the practical implications of unlawful status remain a significant challenge for local authorities.
Johnson’s conflation of terms and insistence on reframing the narrative reflects a broader ideological battle over immigration language. It raises questions about the effectiveness of such rhetoric in addressing the realities of immigration and enforcement issues that continue to affect communities across the nation.
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