NM DREAM TEAM - Key Persons
Aailinn immigrated to the US from Mexico when she was very little; therefore, she has never known her home country. Aailinn considers herself extremely fortunate to have parents who made the sacrifice of leaving their home country to provide her and her siblings the chance to live a better future in the US. Being part of the NM Dream Team is learning to be part of the change within the immigrant community and understanding that change only occurs when a community unites and comes together.
Andres Esquivel was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and migrated to Albuquerque, NM, with his family when he was two years old. Andres grew up in the South Valley and graduated from Albuquerque High School in 2017. Andres graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor's in Political Science with a minor in Chicana/o Studies. Andres, who is currently the NM Dream Team's Campaigns Manager, spent three years as the organization's Education Justice organizer. Besides social justice, he is also passionate about music and art.
Bryan and his mother immigrated to the US when he was 12 years old, but he had no understanding of what it was like to be an immigrant. It wasn't until he was in his senior year of high school and tried to apply for scholarships that he realized he was not eligible because he needed a social security number. Bryan was discovering himself and his sexuality at the same time. Bryan found a community with the NM Dream Team that fights for the rights of his two beloved communities. Undocumented & Unafraid, Queer & Unashamed!!
Eduardo immigrated to Albuquerque, NM with his parents at the age of seven from Chihuahua, Mexico. Growing up in the South Broadway neighborhood and graduating from Albuquerque HS he developed a strong sense of community that has been a driving force throughout his life. Eduardo studied biochemistry at the University of New Mexico and is also a student of Critical Race Theory. Eduardo has been with NM Dream Team since 2015 and has worked on training and curriculum development with a focus around education equity and racial justice.
Erendira nació en Gómez Palacio, Dgo Mexico. Erendira estudio Técnico Laboratorista Industrial en México. Erendira formó una familia en el año de 1985 de la cual tiene 3 hijos y a su compañero de vida Gerardo De Luna. Emigró a los EU en el año 2005. Erendira formó su propio negocio de House Keeping y trabajo en el área de contabilidad en Morada Latina. Erendira obtuvo su diploma Aztec Home Schooling y también se graduó del programa Public Ally donde aprendió a crecer como líder.
Felipe was born and grew up next to the ocean in the beautiful port of Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico. Felipe immigrated to the U.S. along with his family in search for security and opportunities. Felipe graduated from the University of New Mexico with a bachelor's in Psychology. He started organizing with the NM Dream Team in 2015 and immediately fell in love with the work of the organization. Felipe believes in the power of community organizing, intersectionality, and activism to win the fight for immigrant rights and social justice.
Itzayana and her family immigrated from Sotomaynez, Chihuahua, Mexico, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, when she was three years old, and she has lived here ever since. After working on the 2020 Census GOTV campaign, Itzayana saw the community's lack of knowledge and genuine fear, which made her remember how terrified she had even been to seek a job since she was undocumented, especially after witnessing her father being deported in 2012. After meeting the NM Dream Team, Itzayana grew passionate about defending her community and abolishing private detentions in New Mexico.
Janeth was born in Cuauhtémoc Chihuahua Mexico. Janeth immigrated to the United States when she was seven years old alongside her family. After living approximately four years of her life in Arizona her family decided to move to New Mexico where it is currently her home. Janeth was fortunate to qualify for DACA in 2012. She started her journey with the New Mexico Dream Team in 2016 and soon became a Field Organizer in Santa Fe and is now the Programs Manager of the NM Dream Team.
Aailinn Martinez (She/Her/Ella)
Jason is a 22-year-old young man who came to the United States with his two sisters and his mother in 2010, pursuing the dream of a better life without fear, with more opportunities and a better future where he can succeed. Jason started as a Rio Grande Dream Team chapter member at his high school and eventually became the chapter lead. After graduating high school, he got distance from organizing but continued supporting the NM Dream Team, and his passion brought him back as the central NM field organizer.
Jessica was born in Santa Fe, NM, and her parents are from Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, who migrated to the United States in the 90s. Jessica was raised in Santa Fe and graduated from Santa Fe High School in 2018. Jessica then graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in French from The University of New Mexico in 2022. Jessica has always been passionate about fighting for immigrant rights, and she is also passionate about music, art, and self-expression.
Jocelyn was born in Guanajuato, Mexico but was raised in Michoacan, Mexico. In 2004 Jocelyn, her siblings, and her mother migrated to the US. Jocelyn lived in fear of being separated from her family due to what she witnessed happening in the world. Jocelyn became a member of the NM Dream Team in 2018, where she discovered self-comfort, gained knowledge, and realized she was not alone. Now Jocelyn is the field organizer for the NM Dream Team and wants to help her immigrant community feel confident in themselves.
Jovanny, esta en su último semestre de la universidad, donde esta estudiando Ciencias Políticas con un enfoque en la Ley Pública. Hoy vive en Las Cruces, pero originalmente es de Hobbs, NM. Like many kids with immigrant parents, he grew up in a bilingual household. Because of his parents, the place where he lives, and how much he has matured, Jovanny feels drawn to this profession. His goal is to help in every possible manner people who fight for a better life for themselves and their families.
Itzayana Banda (She/Her/Ella)
Karen is an undocumented woman of color living in Albuquerque, NM. Karen started organizing for the community when she was 14 years old with Young Women United, now known as Bold Futures, as part of a youth circle for young women. Through Young Women United, she learned about the NM Dream Team and started getting involved with them through their Summer of Dreams program in 2018. Karen got interested in digital when she was a member for the New Mexico Dream Team. Karen makes creative content that tells the stories of our community and ensures the NMDT brand reflects each unique experience.
Karina was born in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua Mexico. After she turned one, her family and she migrated to Santa Fe, NM. Karina became aware of her few chances as an undocumented student in her senior year of high school. Discovering this was sad because all her parents hoped for her was to attend higher education. Despite the financial struggles, she started attending the University of NM, majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Bilingual Education. Karina hopes to create a safe and helpful space for undocumented students like herself.
Michelle is an undocumented woman who came to the US with her two younger siblings and her mother in 2010, pursuing the dream of having a better life without fear, more opportunities and a better future. Michelle started getting involved in the NM Dream Team when she was 15 years old and found her passion for helping her community and feeling fearless. Today Michelle is the Field Manager for the NM Dream Team and organizes more young people to fight for their voices, dreams, families, and future generations.
Nadia es originaria de la CDMX, madre, esposa e hija indocumentada, parte de la comunidad LGBTQ+, luchando por un mejor futuro para su comunidad, y familia. Llego a los EU cuando tenía 14 años y al pasar de los años se dio cuenta cual era su motivacion. Uno de los mayores objetivos es enseñarle a su hija que está en un país libre, donde todos son uno solo, donde ella se sienta libre de salir sin miedo a ser discriminada por su sangre latina, y eso solamente se puede lograr buscando un cambio y actuando para lograrlo.