Capstone Reflection

Reflecting on my capstone project with Advancing Justice SoCal, I feel I must credit all the influences and experiences that inspired me to choose the topic of immigration. Firstly, my first-hand experience of living in Shanghai exposed me to the complexities of cultural identity and the feeling of being both an insider and outsider in different places. Secondly, my grandfather, who has stories of running away from war in Fujian and coming to Taiwan—during which he lost four of his siblings, two of whom he found later in life and two of whom he has never seen since. It always amazes me how many stories remain untold unless someone takes the time to ask. Third, the Heinz Ethics poly global event with Professor Reisz, Mr. De Los Santos, and Professor Berestein Rojas. Their unique blend of legal insight, lived experience, and journalistic perspective created a multidimensional conversation that deeply resonated with me. The way they tackled the legal intricacies of immigration alongside the emotional and human impact reminded me that policy is never just about paperwork—it’s about people. Of course, there are so many other inspirations that brought me to my final project, but these were a few memorable ones that shaped both my perspective and purpose.

Immigration is an especially relevant and urgent topic in today’s world. While policies shift and headlines come and go, the daily challenges faced by immigrants: legal obstacles, family separation, language barriers, and systemic exclusion persist. These communities continue to navigate complex systems that were often never designed with them in mind. In an increasingly polarized climate, facts and statistics alone may not be enough to change minds, but stories can. Through my capstone project, I aimed to uplift the voices that are too often unheard, using storytelling as a tool to humanize immigration and foster empathy. By creating space for these narratives, I hoped to challenge stereotypes, deepen understanding, and ultimately contribute to a more compassionate and informed dialogue around immigration.

My goals for this capstone were twofold. First, I wanted to amplify voices that are often silenced—sharing authentic immigrant stories that go beyond headlines and statistics, while highlighting the vital support provided by Advancing Justice SoCal. Second, I aimed to address the UN Sustainable Development Goal of Reduced Inequalities by creating a platform where immigrants could tell their own stories with agency and dignity. More than just informing others, my goal was to foster connection, deepen empathy, and inspire meaningful change.

When I initially planned my capstone, I had aimed to do a podcast interview series where I could talk to immigrants who were clients of my partner organization—Advancing Justice Socal. My legal summer internship during the summer of 2024 connected me to this organization. I hoped for their clients to open up about their past experiences and allow me to share that with the community for people to hear about the diverse range and impact of their stories.  worked closely with Janelle Hu from the months of August-December, planning schedules and technicalities. However, in January 2025 when Trump returned to office, the atmosphere surrounding immigration was no longer the same as it was even a month ago. I thought I was simply collecting stories, but I quickly realized the responsibility that came with holding someone’s truth. I realized I needed to learn how to navigate sensitive conversations, ask better questions, and most importantly, listen without interruption or assumption. However more importantly, the topic of immigration became very sensitive. I brought my concerns to Janelle and she immediately agreed, no longer finding my project realistic due to clients wanting to keep their cases confidential now. Therefore in February I was connected to Billie Change, a development intern, and I began my work compiling stories through written word. This way, it reduced the liability of recording someone’s voice in a podcast while still maintaining my goal of sharing stories.

Throughout the project, I faced several challenges that pushed me to grow both personally and ethically. Communicating with the organization was difficult, as many were understandably focused on their own cases, especially amid heightened immigration tensions. Navigating representation was another constant concern—I wanted to honor each story with care, avoiding any oversimplification or exploitation. Client confidentiality also presented obstacles; while I initially envisioned a podcast, privacy concerns required me to rethink my approach. Perhaps most challenging was the emotional weight—listening to stories of trauma, separation, and fear of deportation was profoundly moving and, at times, overwhelming. I learned to hold space for others’ pain while maintaining the boundaries needed to continue the work with clarity and compassion.

The more I immersed myself in the project, the more I understood the intersection of language, identity, and policy. This capstone pushed me far beyond my comfort zone and allowed me to create something I’m genuinely proud of—something that I hope sparks empathy and shifts perspectives.

Thank you to Mr. Caragher and Dr. Anderson for leading the Global Scholars Program, fostering a space global citizenship is more than just a concept—it’s a commitment.