This week was particularly meaningful because my learning became more directly connected to the legal and policy interests that I hope to pursue in the future. Through my work at BIHD, I learned more about immigration processes involving issues such as DACA, adjustment of status, and asylum, as well as the ways recent policy changes can affect individual clients.

I also had the opportunity to attend immigration court hearings. Having never previously stepped inside a courtroom, this was a significant experience for me. Watching proceedings connected the policy and legal concepts I had been learning to real individuals and real consequences.

The tangible outcome of this week was not only progress on my project but also a much stronger understanding of the context in which BIHD operates. I became more aware of how policy changes that may seem abstract in the news can fundamentally affect how clients navigate their lives and legal cases. Attending court made me think more deeply about the responsibility that comes with legal knowledge and representation.

The Changemaker values most visible this week were brave, curious, and determined. Brave reflected my willingness to enter unfamiliar spaces and confront the human consequences of immigration policy. Curiosity motivated me to continue asking questions, while determination reminded me that developing expertise takes time.

My role this week was primarily that of a learner, but I also began to understand how my future role could involve translating complex legal systems into information that people can actually understand and use. This experience strengthened my interest in law and shifted my understanding of what meaningful advocacy might look like.

Next week, I will focus on connecting the legal insights I have gained to the economic empowerment project I am developing. I want to intentionally workshop my ability to connect individual experiences with broader program design.