| This study examines how immigration was discussed in YouTube comment threads during
February 2025, a period when immigration rose to national prominence. Comments from the eight
most-viewed U.S.-based videos tagged #immigrationraids were collected, and 2,303 comments
were selected through systematic random sampling. Using quantitative content analysis, comments
were coded for immigration position, labeling, and civility. Guided by public sphere theory, the
analysis assesses the quality of online public communication. The findings show that most users
did not express a stance on immigration, but among those who did, anti-immigrant views were
overwhelmingly dominant and were more often directed at all immigrants rather than only
undocumented immigrants. Labeling described immigrants as illegal, criminal, and dangerous,
alongside calls for removal and additional patterns of demeaning, gendered, and nationality-based
portrayals. Although most comments were civil, personal attacks were present, and immigrants
were the most frequent targets. By analyzing immigration position, labeling, and civility, the study
reveals not only what people said about immigration but also how they justified and delivered their
messages.
Keywords: immigration position, labeling, civility, YouTube comments, United States |