Anti-Latin American migrant hate speech on X: A comparative study of Spain and the United States

Abstract

This study examines hate speech against Latin American migrants on social media through a comparative analysis of Spain and the United States. Using a qualitative content analysis of 2405 tweets posted on X (formerly Twitter) between January and April 2025, it explores discursive patterns, stereotypes, and ideological structures. Grounded in theories of otherness, symbolic power, and digital propaganda, the research applies open, axial, and selective coding to identify recurring strategies. Findings show that hate speech in both countries relies on dehumanizing stereotypes, militarized metaphors, and generalizations that legitimize exclusion and criminalization. However, national contexts differ: in Spain, the discourse centers on preserving national identity and protecting welfare resources, while in the U.S., it emphasizes border control and a supremacist rhetoric. The study concludes that social media amplifies hate speech and underscores the urgent need for public policy and social action to counteract this form of symbolic violence.