The large influx of Polish immigrants to the United States began in the 1870s, driven by poverty, political repression, and land shortages in partitioned Poland. The peak years of Polish migration occurred between 1890 and 1914, with over one million Poles immigrating, many of whom were processed at Ellis Island. These immigrants settled in industrial cities and farming communities, forming vibrant 'Polonia' communities in places like Chicago, Buffalo, and Milwaukee. Their arrival significantly contributed to America's industrial workforce and cultural diversity.

The Polish immigration wave is a significant theme in Polish-American literature, with writers like Nelson Algren and others depicting the lives of Polish immigrants in Chicago's industrial neighborhoods. Their works explore themes of labor, community, and the immigrant struggle for a better life. The poetry and prose of this tradition often reflect on the experience of displacement and the effort to preserve Polish identity in a new land.