From Digital Networks to Real-World Journeys: How Chinese Migrants Navigate Informal Pathways from China to the United States

This research examines the role of social networks in facilitating the migration of undocumented Chinese migrants to the United States. Through a combination of qualitative interviews, digital ethnography, and additional fieldwork, the study explores the dynamics of the online and offline social networks that Chinese migrants construct, particularly through platforms like Telegram. The research seeks to understand how these networks challenge the traditional migration industry, such as smugglers and brokers, by democratizing access to migration knowledge. Additionally, it investigates how these digital platforms help migrants overcome barriers like government censorship and the "digital divide" in accessing restricted foreign social media. By analyzing the structure and function of these social networks, the study sheds light on the broader implications for transnational migration, diasporic communities, and resistance movements. Findings will contribute to ongoing discussions about the intersection of migration, technology, social networks, and the experiences of migrants from the Global South.