Migration in the Digital Age:Examining the Role of ICT in the Modern Migrant Experience

Information Communication Technology (ICT) has shifted the way humans connect with each other, obtain information, and engage with their surroundings. While there exists a significant body of research dedicated to understanding ICT’s impact on a broad range of issues, our understanding of how ICT impacts migration is still relatively limited. This thesis aims to fill this gap in the literature by answering the question: How have recent technological developments, like the Internet and social media, transformed the way migrants access information and connect with resources throughout the migration process? Using qualitative analysis of thirty-seven long-form, semi-structured interviews with Central and South American migrants in the United States, this thesis identifies that while ICT is changing migration, its impact is more subtle and nuanced than what the dominant media narrative suggests.
This analysis was derived from the data through a robust coding process that uses descriptive, interpretive, and categorical codes to identify patterns and relationships. Using a comparative approach, this study outlines the difference between “traditional” and “modern” migration strategies. It then presents three findings: 1) that ICT functions as a supplementary resource for research and communication rather than replacing traditional migration strategies; 2) that ICT is particularly valuable for migrants lacking strong family networks; and 3) that migrants primarily use ICT to enhance communication with relatives, friends, and coyotes. Above all, this study seeks to center the voices and experiences of those who have risked their lives in search of safety and stability. Their invaluable contributions to this research will assist future researchers and policymakers in developing well-informed policies that serve to protect the safety and well-being of migrants journeying to the United States.