Making the Foreigner- an examination of public opinion toward Polish immigrants

Drawing from a variety of primary sources including newspapers, political speeches, and legislative records, this study analyzes how immigrant communities were portrayed in the media and how these portrayals influenced public perception and policy. It will also explore popular legal issues that affected migrants and natives alike, contributing to protests and popular political movements like Nativism and Jingoism. This work follows the evolution of public opinion toward Polish Galician immigrants during peak years of immigration, by using local periodicals, sociological studies from William Thomas, and major newspapers like Bazaar (1867-present) and Ameryka Echoes (1902-1971). Following the media shows how public opinion was gradually weaponized against migrants to deter and discourage settlement and advancement. This study seeks to enable a deeper understanding of the intersections between media, law, and immigration history in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.