This Undergrad Envisions a Career in Law, Migration, and Politics

Between studying, interning as an immigration legal services assistant, and being a member of the Columbia fencing team, Madison Riley Four-Garcia is making the most of her last year on campus. During her brief moments of downtime, she might be at a Broadway show or enjoying a walk in a city park.

When will you graduate from Columbia, and what is your major?

I will graduate in May 2026 from Columbia College with a major in political science. I am also minoring in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, which has been incredibly helpful in engaging with my interests in migration and U.S.-Western Hemisphere political relations.

Has there been a special mentor/professor during your time here? Or a particular class that inspired you?

I would say that taking the political science seminar U.S. Immigration and Immigrant Policy and Politics was very influential to my experience at Columbia. Before taking this class, I wasn’t sure how my interest in migration could manifest itself in my academics so concretely. Professor Carlos Vargas-Ramos prioritizes discussion that includes both scholarly texts and real-life impacts and events that are happening around us. After taking his class, I felt much more prepared and passionate about pursuing a career in migration, no matter the shape it takes.

Which of your extracurricular activities have had the greatest impact on you?

This past summer, I interned at Project Rousseau, which offers legal services to New York City’s immigrant population. Now I work there part-time as a student needs and immigration legal services assistant. The work I have done with this organization has been transformative for me. Most of my previous internship experience was with the federal government, working on large-scale projects. Being able to dedicate myself to direct service has been so fulfilling; working on individual clients’ cases and being a resource to them is a complete honor.

With my government experiences at the State Department and the White House under the Biden-Harris administration, I grew immensely both personally and professionally, and I am extremely grateful for those opportunities. Without them, I wouldn’t be the student I am now, or appreciate the impact of direct service as much as I do. 

How do you balance being a student and an athlete?

Before college, fencing was largely an individual sport for me. Although I made some wonderful friendships while representing my club and the United States at World Cups, the bond I have with my teammates here at Columbia is entirely different: We support each other in practice and at competition, but also through studying together, checking in, and catching meals together. We always say that we are a family, and it honestly does feel that way. My closest college friends are people I have met on the team that I never would have met if I continued fencing individually. 

Being a student athlete is definitely a huge time commitment; I have found that keeping myself organized with my calendar and planner has been crucial to getting my work done and staying committed to the team. I am also incredibly lucky that my professors, coaches, and employers are all supportive and understanding, and are always willing to work with me and my busy schedule.

How do you like studying in the city? What are your favorite urban pastimes?

When studying, I love taking breaks walking through Riverside Park with my friends. In terms of libraries, I love Lehman and the first floor of Avery. When the weather is nice, I also enjoy studying on Law Bridge. This year, I am living in Hogan with some of my closest friends, so we have made our suite a homey space, and often work there together.

A secret spot that helps me disconnect from campus is the Elizabeth Street Garden in Nolita. When stress from school feels high, I recommend grabbing a coffee nearby at Caffe Paradiso, and sitting in the garden listening to music.

Any other specific recommendations for things to do beyond campus?

I love joining Broadway show lotteries and drawings for tapings of shows like the Daily Show. I have been so lucky, and have been to many great shows, including Hamilton with Leslie Odom Jr.

I enjoy spending time in Central Park and Riverside Park. Flushing is always a great trip to make with friends for food. Because I am first-generation Cuban-American and grew up in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood, taking the train north into Washington Heights and eating and spending time in Fort Tryon Park is always terrific, too.

What's been the most special thing about studying at Columbia?

Without a doubt, the people I have met and the community that we have made. I feel I have made friends here who will be in my life forever. Being in such a high-pressure environment can make any of us feel isolated, but finding friends who love me for who I am and support me through every challenge has made my Columbia experience life-changing.

What are your plans post-graduation?

This past summer, I was admitted to Harvard Law School through its Junior Deferral Program (JDP), which was a dream come true. I was set on going from kindergarten straight through law school for most of my life, but over the last few years, I have been able to talk to so many amazing supervisors and mentors from my high school, Horace Mann, Columbia, and my internships. As a result, I have come to realize we are at a critical juncture in our long-standing immigration crisis, and there is so much work to contribute to, as well as invaluable experience within the legal profession that I can engage with before entering law school. Thankfully, through JDP, I have committed myself to taking two years off after my graduation from Columbia, which I will likely spend working with a local nonprofit or law firm, before moving to Cambridge in 2028.