Eduardo immigrated to Albuquerque, New Mexico with his family at the age of seven from Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico and grew up between South Broadway and the South Valley where he developed a strong sense of community that has been a driving force throughout his life. He studied biochemistry at the University of New Mexico, where he started organizing with the UNM Dream Team.  Eduardo has been with NMDT since 2015 and has worked on training and curriculum development with a focus around education equity and racial justice, served as Programs Manager and now serves as Co-Director for the organization. Eduardo is also an anti-racist trainer and facilitator and is passionate about youth leadership development When he is not working, Eduardo enjoys DJing, cooking and playing games with his friends and family.

Itzayana, originally from Santa Ana, Chihuahua, Mexico, immigrated to Albuquerque, NM at the age of 3 with her sister and mother. In December 2011, her father was deported, and her family has been separated ever since. After graduating high school in 2013, her priority was finding a job to support her family, but she lived in fear of revealing her identity. While working for the 2020 Census GTOV campaign, Itzayana witnessed the community’s lack of information and pervasive fear, which reminded her of her own struggles and fears. This experience ignited her passion for helping her community, informing them of their rights, and ensuring they know they are not alone. This newfound interest led her to work with the NMDT, where she now shares a message of hope, tells her story to the community, and helps others share their stories.

Karen is an undocumented, woman of color living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She immigrated with her family to the United States from Ciudad Juarez in 2006 at the age of six. Karen started getting involved in community work when she was 14 years old after noticing the injustices people of color experience in the United States. She began her community involvement with Young Women United, now known as Bold Futures- as part of a youth circle for young women of color. Through Young Women United, she found out about the New Mexico Dream Team. She started to get involved with them in the Summer of 2018, where she found an instant community belonging. Her role consists of making creative content that tells the stories of our community and making sure the NMDT brand is reflective of each unique experience of NMDT’s members across the state.

Janeth, born in Cuauhtemoc Chihuahua Mexico, currently DACA-mented, Immigrated to the United States at the age of 7. Started working with the New Mexico Dream Team in 2017. Prior to working with NMDT she was a Volunteer with New Mexico Dreamers in Action(NMDIA) in Northern NM doing community organizing, she worked as an organizer for United We Dream in Austin Texas, and not long after was given the opportunity to work as the Field Organizer in Northern New Mexico with NMDT, this opened the door for her to work with her community. Janeth is passionate about working and serving our immigrant community. Prior to her current role as the Leadership Development Manager, she served as the Programs Manager for the Dream Team. Being part of the movement has  given her valuable knowledge that she wishes to continue using by giving back to her community

Jovanny lives and organizes in Las Cruces, NM, in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert, about 50 minutes from Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. He moved to Las Cruces in 2019 but has lived in New Mexico since 2010. Jovanny is the son of immigrants from Mexico, and he spent most of his early childhood moving from town to town in north Texas and Kansas as his family migrated with the boom-and-bust cycle of the oilfield. He studied government at NMSU, but his true education came from his and his family’s experiences living, working, and building community in rural towns. The example and hard work that his parents set for him and his sister have been the benchmark for true success in life. The work of creating your life is work. And we work because it must be done, leaving no place for bitterness.

Aailinn immigrated to the U.S. from Querétaro, Mexico when she was just eight months old, so she has never known her home country. Her parents left their homeland in pursuit of a brighter future for her and her siblings. From their struggles, Aailinn learned the true meaning of hard work and love. Now, Aailinn is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work with the aim of becoming a community organizer. As a DACAmented individual, she is deeply passionate about supporting her community. Aailinn’s love for organizing began when she witnessed the NM Dream Team’s day of action at the state capitol. Seeing hundreds of youth chanting for change, she realized that she desired to be part of a community committed to making a difference. Being part of the NM Dream Team means learning to lead with love, compassion, and resilience, driving change within the immigrant community.

Guillermo was born in Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico. He immigrated into the US with his family when he was only two years old. He has resided in Albuquerque, NM majority of his life, living alongside his family. After completing high school, Guillermo moved to Silver City, NM where he was a part of the Social Work program at Western New Mexico university. Guillermo resided and studied on campus for three years in which he experienced many difficulties due to his current status. The lack of a SSN, paved the way for many obstacles that created a gap between himself and other students within the University. These struggles, alongside the oppression from the institution, influenced Guillermo’s decision to pause his education and return to Albuquerque. Today he is a member of the NM Dream Team, where he is given the opportunity to become a part of an organization that feels like home. A place where he no longer has to be ashamed or afraid of his own identity. He is slowly stepping into his own power and is motivated to help other undocumented individuals to the same. 

Jason is a 23 year-old young man who came to the United States with his two sisters and his mother in 2010 pursuing the dream of having a better life without fear, with more opportunities, and a better future. Jason started as a member of the Rio Grande Dream Team and eventually became the RGDT chapter lead. He got distance from organizing but his passion brought him back as Development and Operations Manager.