Kaylie Gonzalez Reflection ( Civil Action)

 Hi after participating in the Civic action group project this semester has been one of the most eye-opening and rewarding experiences of my academic journey. our class explored four major topics-Healthcare and Immigration, Immigration and the U.S Economy, Families and Education, and Environment and Safety of the People. Each group brought a unique perspective, and together, the presentations gave me a deeper understanding of how interconnected these systems are and how they affect communities both in the U.S and the world. 

  Our group (group 2) focused on Healthcare and Immigration, a topic that I found personally meaningful because it ties directly into fairness, equality, and civic responsibility. Our goal was to examine how healthcare access is influenced by immigration status, government policies, and economic inequalities. Each member of the group had a specific role, and we collaborated to present a comprehensive picture of the challenges and opportunities immigrants face when navigating the healthcare system. My role in the project was to discuss how immigration affects healthcare, including why immigrants come to the U.S. for medical care, the barriers they face, and how immigration functions as a health factor globally. I explained that many immigrants travel to the United States for healthcare because their home countries lack necessary medication or access to advanced treatments for certain conditions or diseases. Others come to receive care not available locally or to seek better long-term health outcomes. While presenting this, I highlighted that immigrants impact healthcare in multiple ways—they are not only patients but also vital contributors to the healthcare system, filling critical labor shortages and supporting hospitals and long-term care services.

  I also discussed the policy changes affecting immigrant healthcare access, examining both positive and negative aspects. On the negative side, eligibility for Medicaid and other programs has become more restrictive, limiting coverage to a narrower group of “qualified” immigrants. Certain states, like California and Texas, have created programs using federal funding to fill these gaps. Policy changes, such as cuts to Medicaid under the Trump administration and adjustments to the Affordable Care Act, further restricted access. For example, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” passed in 2025 dismantled ACA marketplace coverage for many lawfully present immigrants, leaving an estimated 1.2 million people without coverage by 2027. DACA recipients became ineligible, and undocumented immigrants remain limited to emergency Medicaid for essential hospital care. Despite these challenges, immigrants also make critical contributions to healthcare, comprising more than 18% of the workforce, filling staffing gaps, offering multilingual communication, and financially supporting the system through taxes and insurance premiums. Working with my group was a productive and collaborative experience, teaching me that teamwork is not just about dividing tasks—it’s about supporting one another, combining strengths, and presenting a unified story, while also improving my communication and public speaking skills.

Group 1

  Group 1 explored the relationship between immigration and the U.S. economy. Christina began by defining immigration and distinguishing between legal and illegal migration, which helped clarify foundational concepts. Christopher explained why people migrate, including push and pull factors such as jobs, safety, and family connections. Donavan analyzed both the positive and negative effects of immigration on economic growth, showing how immigrants boost labor forces while also creating challenges in local economies. Daniel examined how immigration shapes education and culture, emphasizing the ways communities adapt to new members. Aidileny discussed immigration policies and laws, including border control and legal pathways, while Aiden compared the U.S. to Canada, Poland, Australia, and Japan, showing differences in immigration priorities, processing speed, and fairness. Their presentation highlighted how economic opportunity, immigration, and healthcare access are closely linked, helping me see the larger picture of social policy.

Group 3

  Group 3 focused on how families and education influence civic engagement and overall well-being. Melinda highlighted the role of culture and community programs, sharing an interview with her ELA department chair( Ms. Novoa) to show the collaboration between parents and teachers. Mykell explored the treatment of women’s education in other countries, reminding us that educational inequality persists globally. Ricardo examined the U.S. education system, discussing GPA, classroom life, and testing, including SAT and ACT scores, which I found  relatable as someone who recently graduated Highschool. Nel presented on how national associations shape educational standards, policies, and teacher qualifications, with international comparisons. Melissa discussed homeschooling and welfare programs, emphasizing how education can extend beyond formal schooling to impact entire families. Lys examined family structure and culture, including single-parent households and immigrant dynamics, showing how these factors shape student motivation and academic success. This presentation reinforced that education, family support, and civic systems are deeply interconnected and influence both health and community engagement.

Group 4

  Group 4 presented on environmental policies and public safety, illustrating how these factors affect citizens’ health and well-being. Suri began with U.S. environmental policies and asked thought-provoking questions about national priorities. Roger provided an international perspective, showing how other countries enforce environmental standards. Trinity discussed U.S. safety laws, comparing police practices in the U.S. and the U.K., highlighting how policies such as gun laws influence enforcement. Victor focused on the military’s role in safety, while Savannah linked safety laws to economic funding, demonstrating how money allocation affects protective agencies. Valeria concluded with a global perspective, showing how other nations fund safety and environmental programs based on economic priorities. Together, their presentation showed that environment, safety, and the economy are interconnected, and these systems significantly affect public health outcomes.

Class leaders ( Brianna and Carolina)

  Brianna and Carolina introduced each group, outlined expectations, and ensured the presentations stayed on track without giving away too much information in advance. For Group 2, they highlighted how our team’s topic of healthcare and immigration showed the direct connection between policy, civic responsibility, and access to healthcare. They emphasized how immigration shapes both the healthcare system and the experiences of patients, noting the importance of discussing barriers, labor contributions, and global health factors.

  Reflecting on all four groups, I realized how interconnected social systems are. Immigration, healthcare, education, economy, and environmental safety all influence quality of life in the U.S. and globally. Civic Action goes beyond volunteering—it involves understanding policies, analyzing social systems, and recognizing how government decisions impact communities. This project helped me grow in research, communication, and collaboration. My work on immigrant healthcare taught me empathy and responsibility, while the other groups showed how healthcare connects to education, economic opportunity, and environmental factors. . Overall, this experience reminded me that meaningful change requires awareness, teamwork, and compassion. Civic action begins with knowledge, grows through collaboration, and succeeds when combined with action and empathy.