Unmasking Public Perception: A Mixed-Methods Exploration of Social Media Discourse on U.S. Illegal Immigration

With illegal immigration remaining a contentious issue in the United States, understanding public perception—particularly as expressed on social media—is vital for informed policymaking and advocacy. This study investigates the discourse surrounding illegal immigration in the U.S. through both quantitative and qualitative analyses of data from Reddit. We identify key themes and perspectives on four critical aspects: (i) U.S. policy toward illegal immigration, (ii) strategies for mitigating illegal immigration, (iii) issues arising from illegal immigration, and (iv) hostile rhetoric targeting undocumented immigrants. Additionally, we conduct emotion analysis to ascertain prevalent emotional responses within the discourse. Our findings reveal both challenges and perceived benefits associated with lenient border policies, including difficulties in monitoring extensive border areas and the exploitation of low-wage labor. We observe a wide range of suggested measures to reduce illegal migration, including stringent actions against employers of undocumented workers, proposals to abolish birthright citizenship, and calls for increased legal migration. Emotion analysis indicates significant levels of anger and disgust expressed in the comments. Furthermore, we document instances of anti-immigrant rhetoric, some of which are inhumane and include calls for violence against undocumented individuals. This research provides valuable insights into societal attitudes toward illegal immigration, informing policymakers and advocacy groups in their decision-making.