Streaming Journeys: Comparing Social Media Videos of Chinese and Latin-American Migrants Crossing Mexico to the U.S.

• In Event: 20862 - Section on International Migration Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 10: Borderlands

Abstract

Over recent decades, the quantity and diversity of migrants entering the U.S. through its southern border have increased significantly as well as the use of social media has emerged as a vital tool for migrants to document and share their journeys. Videos of migrants crossing Latin American to the U.S. have been frequently associated as facilitator of information for other potential migrants. This paper compares how migrants from China and Latin America represent their journeys on social media while crossing Latin America en route to the U.S. Instead of seeking these videos as enticers to migrate, we ask the question of how do cultural and social factors influence what migrants share? To do that, we are analyzed these videos as cultural objects produced by migrants and study their production through three dimensions: 1) the meaning-making behind their creation, 2) the structural patterns guiding their production, and 3) their intended audiences. Our findings show key differences: Chinese migrants produce less personal, more instructional videos aimed at guiding others, whereas Latin American migrants emphasize personal storytelling. Despite these contrasts, both groups highlight common themes such as the journey’s dangers, the toll of diverse geographies, and celebrations upon reaching the border. By examining two culturally distinct groups navigating the same routes, this article explores how culture shapes migration narratives and suggests new research pathways on the impact of migrant-generated media.

Authors

• Angel Alfonso Escamilla Garcia, Yale University

• Fanmei Xia, Yale University

• Xi Wang, Northwestern University