Xenophobia and Intersections in Digital Users' Discourses Towards the Central American Migrant Caravan in Tijuana

The article analyzes the discourses of digital users about the arrival of Central American migrants in Tijuana in a caravan. It examines xenophobia in intersection with other forms of violence. The migrant caravans of 2018-2019 reflected the precarious conditions and violence faced by migrants. The method used was thematic discourse analysis of comments on a YouTube video. This video shows the arrival of the November 2018 caravan and the interaction of an interviewer with some of the migrants. A total of 364 comments were analyzed, using ATLAS.ti to organize and code the themes of xenophobia, classism, and sexism. The results show the stereotyping of migrants as undisciplined or criminal and aggression towards the interviewer perceived as a traitor or indecent for her apparent support of the migrants. Social media discourses construct xenophobic identities and narratives, reinforcing symbolic violence in its multiple intersections and the criminalization of migrants. This reflects the power dynamics and discrimination in society. It is essential to address these dynamics to promote a broader understanding of migratory phenomena and combat symbolic violence on digital platforms.