Interviews with aliens, smugglers, and law enforcement officials in China, Hong Kong, and the United States indicate this activity is a complex process that consists of a number of distinct operational stages. The data suggest that Chinese alien smuggling groups vary in their level of organization, but most are best understood as task forces, or small groups of people assembled to perform a particular task. These task forces are typically linked to international social networks that are characterized by overlapping, dyadic relationships, a high level of role differentiation, and a limited degree of hierarchy. Such groups are highly responsive to changing socio-legal and market constraints. The structural and operational features of these alien smuggling groups have served them well, as demonstrated by their success in recent years. This research also shows, however, that these groups are not invincible. Communication breakdowns, rather than effective law enforcement, are the major reason why smuggling operations fail. The U.S. government's unfocused policies have failed to make much headway against this criminal activity. The combination of strong demand and weak enforcement makes it unlikely that Chinese alien smuggling will subside in the near future. 28 notes