73 CJMC 5 (1) pp. 73–85 Intellect Limited 2014 Crossings: Journal of Migration & Culture Volume 5 Number 1 © 2014 Intellect Ltd Article. English language. doi: 10.1386/cjmc.5.1.73_1 Keywords digital heterotopia emotion fear forced migrant practice shame space sasKia witteborn Chinese University of Hong Kong Forced migrants, emotive practice and digital heterotopia abstract Despite being caught in cycles of waiting and being arrested in institutionalized accommodations, forced migrants engage increasingly in digital border crossings. While the study of digital practice has attracted much scholarly interest, the role of emotions in processes of migration and digital connecting has been neglected. This article explores the role of emotions in the structuring of and engagement with digital heterotopias. Field research with 127 forced migrants in Germany over a period of three years illustrates how shame and fear structure digital practice and heterotopic space and regulate digital connectivity. The study suggests that emotions are instru- mental in gendering digital practice and influencing solidarization processes, with shame and fear strengthening spaces of exclusion and supporting the logics of control by the nation state. introduction Connecting through the Internet is one way for forced migrants to cope with physical and social isolation and mobilize for political action. Connecting digitally is especially important for people seeking asylum in European countries as these countries are characterized by high entry barriers, complex asylum laws, long asylum processes and a sociopolitical problem discourse