Absolutely.

In terms of Chinese immigrants, they were not only aware but also had developed complex transnational social and economic networks to deal with the issue. In the 1850s Chinese in Nevada had already discovered the reactions of the white population to their presence, and thanks to the Opium Wars there was already a quickly declining attitude toward the Chinese. They were seen as inextricably tied to the opium trade (which American importers were happily involved in) and the evils it entailed. Later, they were seen as a major threat to the labour market in the US, and that combined with well established racial attitudes among the white Americans made things quite difficult.

One of the important aspects of the Chinese immigrant communities was that they were often sojourning. They had come to America to work and raise money to send back home, and while many stayed permanently, many did not. There were regular letters back and fourth, in which people described the often deplorable treatment at the hands of the immigration officials, and the general negative attitudes people had toward them. The Qing government was of course also aware, through diplomats' and nationals' reports but also due to the continues re-negotiation by the Americans of treaties between the Qing and the United States.

To deal with these issues, immigrants set up organisations. One of the most well known is the Six Companies, also known as the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of San Francisco. They worked to not only address the many stereotypes about Chinese immigrants, but also to try to slow immigration (before the Exclusion Act of 1882 when it was slowed externally) so that workers in the United States, Chinese or otherwise, would have less difficulty making a living. The Six Companies and similar organisations were also in regular communication with people and organisations back in China.

For Chinese immigrating at that time, it wasn't so much that you immigrate and that's that, now you're an American and lose sight of China. People were living between two countries and even in the absence of a family member, they still had influence and impact on each other. While some people certainly left for reasons of safety and stability, for many people, you weren't leaving China for a better life in America. You were instead trying to fund a better life in China by working in America.