Using Twitter to investigate discourse on immigration: the role of values in expressing polarized attitudes toward asylum seekers during the closure of Roxham Road (2024)

What is this research about?

The research investigates how personal values influence the discourse on immigration, specifically regarding the closure of Roxham Road, an irregular border crossing between the United States and Canada. The study examines how the values of conservation (resistance to change) and self-transcendence (concern for others) are expressed in social media discussions, particularly on Twitter, and how these expressions correlate with sentiments about asylum seekers.

From the article introduction: "The world is witnessing an escalatingmigration crisis, and Canada, with its historically high immigration rates, is experiencing a rise in the number of asylum seekers entering the country as well. Despite generally positive Canadian attitudes toward newcomers, there is a notable division in opinions about welcoming them. Past studies suggest personal values significantly shape these attitudes, particularly conservation (resistance to change) and self-transcendence (concern for others). However, little research has examined if these values manifest in social media discussions about immigration, especially at times when policies change. This study examines how the discourse on immigration changes following the announcement of the closure of Roxham Road, a debated irregular border crossing between the US and Canada used by asylum seekers."

What do you need to know?

• Context: Roxham Road was a significant entry point for asylum seekers into Canada, leading to polarized public opinions about its closure.
• Personal Values: The study focuses on two primary values:
  • Conservation: Emphasizes security, tradition, and resistance to change.
  • Self-Transcendence: Emphasizes universalism and benevolence, focusing on the welfare of others.
• Sentiment Analysis: The study uses sentiment analysis to determine the tone of the Tweets related to these values.

What did the researchers do?

1. Data Collection: The researchers collected 33,459 Tweets over a week, spanning the days before, during, and after the closure of Roxham Road.
2. Values Assessment: They used the Personal Values Dictionary to identify references to conservation and self-transcendence in the Tweets.
3. Sentiment Analysis: The Valence Aware Dictionary and Sentiment Reasoner (VADER) was used to analyze the sentiment of the Tweets.

What did the researchers find?

"The research highlights the interplay between personal values and policy change on immigration discourse and emphasizes the need for more analyses on how personal values are expressed in the public domain."

• Prevalence of Values: Conservation and self-transcendence values were frequently expressed in the Tweets.
• Sentiment Correlation:
  • Conservation: Tweets expressing conservation values had a negative tone.
  • Self-Transcendence: Tweets expressing self-transcendence values had a positive tone.
• Temporal Changes:
  • After the closure announcement, Tweets expressing conservation became less negative.
  • Tweets expressing self-transcendence became more positive immediately after the closure.
• Comparison with Moral Foundations Theory: The study found that personal values were more prevalent and distinct in explaining attitudes toward immigration compared to moral foundations.

How can you use this research?

If you work in immigration policy, social media analysis, or public relations, this research can help you:

• Understand Public Sentiment: Gain insights into how different values shape public opinion on immigration-related issues.
• Policy Development: Develop policies that consider the underlying values driving public sentiment, potentially leading to more effective and accepted immigration policies.
• Communication Strategies: Tailor communication strategies to address the concerns and values of different segments of the population, improving public engagement and support.
• Crisis Management: Use real-time social media analysis to monitor and respond to shifts in public sentiment during significant policy changes or events.

By leveraging the findings of this research, professionals can better navigate the complex and often polarized landscape of public opinion on immigration.