Part 5/9:
Ecuador stands out as a pivotal entry point due to its leniency toward Chinese travelers, allowing visa-free access. From there, migrants traverse through Central American countries and onward toward the US—each step fraught with danger, requiring careful coordination and clandestine movement.
The team's mission was to connect with these migrants discreetly. They aimed to meet them at key locations, speak with them about their routes, and understand their motivations. As a former journalist involved in this operation, he described the moment they began engaging with the migrants—initially under the guise of normal interactions, but soon revealing deeper insights fueled by shared human curiosity and concern.