Exploring the Discourse and Legitimization Mechanism of Undocumented Chinese Immigrants in YouTube Universe

• In Event: 50410 - Institutional, Bureaucratic, and Media Control of Immigrants

Abstract

This study examines YouTube as a key platform for shaping public discourse about the recent surge in undocumented Chinese immigration to the United States. Drawing on a large dataset of Chinese- and English-language YouTube videos and their comments, we analyze how two distinct online communities talk about these migrants and the political tensions surrounding them. In Chinese-language content, undocumented immigrants often share personal stories and practical advice, framing their journeys as escapes from political or economic hardship. Simultaneously, they maintain a strong sense of Chinese identity, which is evident in their expression of cultural pride and nationalistic debates. In English-language videos, the focus centers on a "border crisis" narrative, frequently highlighting U.S. national security concerns and criticizing immigration policy failures. Across both spheres, YouTube not only facilitates information exchange and debate but also serves as a marketplace where migration services are advertised. These findings underscore YouTube's role as a transnational "gray zone" of engagement, where Chinese undocumented migrants seek legitimacy for their actions, confront xenophobic or nationalistic backlash, and encounter competing narratives that reflect broader geopolitical and social tensions. By revealing how digital communities navigate these polarized viewpoints, this research highlights the complex intersections of migration, media, and online discourse in an era of global mobility and heightened Sino–U.S. rivalry.

Authors

• Bulin Li, Stony Brook University

• Jing Cai, American University

• Yongjun Zhang, Stony Brook University

• Qilong Bi, University of Chicago