Exploring justice, immigration, and the human stories behind the legal system.
By: Daniella Fernandez
When most people think about the justice system, they think about laws, courtrooms, and legal procedures. This summer, through my internship at the Public Defender’s Office and my research on how immigrants are processed within the public defense system, I hope to look beyond those structures and better understand the people whose lives are shaped by them. As I prepare for this experience, I have been reflecting on the habits, values, and perspectives that have led me here and how they contribute to my impact on myself, those around me, my community, and the broader world.
The impact I have on myself begins with curiosity. Throughout my life, I have been driven by a desire to understand why systems work the way they do and how they affect real people. As the daughter of immigrants from Cuba and Venezuela, questions about opportunity, fairness, and access have always felt personal. This curiosity has motivated me to pursue research, volunteer opportunities, and leadership experiences that challenge me to think critically about social issues rather than accept simple explanations.
Another habit that positively contributes to my growth is persistence. Many of my goals, from starting a nonprofit organization to pursuing research opportunities, have required patience and resilience. Research often involves uncertainty, and meaningful change rarely happens overnight. Learning to stay committed even when progress is slow has become one of the most valuable skills I carry with me.
The impact of these habits extends to my inner circle. I try to be someone who listens carefully and approaches conversations with empathy. My family’s experiences as immigrants have taught me that every person’s story contains complexities that may not be visible on the surface. Whether I am helping a classmate, mentoring a student, or simply listening to a friend, I try to remember that understanding someone else’s perspective is often the first step toward helping them.
Within my community, I hope to make a positive impact by using education and research as tools for understanding and change. My internship at the Public Defender’s Office will allow me to observe how legal systems operate at the local level and how individuals navigate those systems. At the same time, my research project will examine whether immigrants experience unique challenges within the public defense process. I am particularly interested in understanding how factors such as language barriers, cultural differences, and access to information influence interactions with the legal system.
What excites me most about this research is the opportunity to connect policy discussions with human experiences. Statistics and legal procedures are important, but they do not always capture the realities individuals face when navigating unfamiliar systems. By studying these experiences more closely, I hope to contribute to conversations about fairness, accessibility, and justice.
On a global level, I believe this work connects to broader questions about how societies support diverse populations. Immigration is often discussed through political debates and policy proposals, but behind those discussions are individuals whose lives are affected by the decisions institutions make. Understanding how immigrant populations interact with legal systems can help create more equitable practices and encourage greater awareness of the challenges these communities face.
As a Global Scholar, I believe impact is not measured solely by the positions we hold or the projects we complete. Instead, it is measured by our willingness to learn, ask difficult questions, and engage thoughtfully with the communities around us. This summer, I hope to do exactly that. Through my internship and research, I want to better understand the human side of the justice system while developing the skills necessary to advocate for more inclusive and equitable institutions.
The title of this post, “More Than a Case Number,” reflects what I hope to remember throughout this experience. Every file, every statistic, and every legal proceeding represents a real person with a unique story. My goal this summer is to learn from those stories and use that knowledge to contribute, in whatever way I can, to a more informed and compassionate understanding of justice.
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