“They Look Just Like You and Me”: The Evolution of Immigrant Representation in American Sitcoms, 1950–2025

ABSTRACT Immigrant representation in American sitcoms has evolved drastically from the 1950s to 2025, portraying immigration experiences in response to cultural and political ideology. By analyzing these changes through the lens of historical television texts, United States legislation, and Stuart Hall's representation theory, it is possible to see how these differences are a result of the decades in which they were produced. Beginning with early shows featuring immigrants focused on assimilation narratives, representation can be traced through sparse portrayals in the 1960s–1970s, exaggerated stereotypes in the 1980s, lack of representation during post‐9/11 suspicion, and finally to more authentic contemporary portrayals. Superstore episode “Employee Appreciation Day,” which directly addresses immigration enforcement, is an example clearly showing how contemporary thought influences media texts. Examination of sitcoms' encoded messages about immigrant identities shows that television's unique capacity to either humanize or dehumanize immigrant individuals or groups can potentially create empathy and understanding or promote cultural bias.