How the New Mexico Dream Team Is Igniting the Next Generation of Visionaries
For many immigrants and refugees entering the United States, the first priority is often survival. But Eduardo Esquivel and the New Mexico Dream Team go much further—engaging and educating their communities, pushing for policy and systems change, and helping undocumented and mixed-status families thrive.
Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, a 7-year-old Eduardo immigrated with his family to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to escape violence in their hometown. As Eduardo grew up and began to put down roots and work toward establishing a medical career, he quickly learned about the limits imposed on the undocumented and the unique setbacks he faced. One example? His nonexistent Social Security number.
“I was feeling very isolated and upset at my situation,” Eduardo recalls. “When it came to internships and all the things you have to do on the pre-med track, not being eligible for things spiked my frustration.”
Still, he persisted, finding an opportunity to teach science at his old elementary school. While teaching there, he was introduced to an organizer with the University of New Mexico Dream Team, a student-led and -founded organization working to improve conditions for undocumented students on campus. The organizer invited him to an “UndocuHealing” retreat that Eduardo says changed his life.
“I found out there was a whole group of undocumented students at UNM openly talking about their immigration status and the challenges they faced, and not only that—they were doing something about it.”
The UNM Dream Team urged decisive action to change school practice and policy, joining forces with members from Santa Fe Dreamers in Action and the New Mexico Highlands University MEChA to form the statewide New Mexico Dream Team (NDMT) in 2014. Inspired by the students’ determination and resolve, Eduardo joined the organization and in due course committed himself to the path of social and racial justice, working his way up to programs manager and then co-director of the New Mexico Dream Team.
Building on the energy and drive of the students, NMDT sees the transformative power of youth activism as a core part of its identity and is inspired by previous youth movements. The team is grounded in the belief that young people play a critical role in driving social change. “I think if you look at any social movement throughout history, particularly the ones that have been successful, [they] have had very strong youth power building,” Eduardo says.
Nurturing confidence among undocumented young people is a significant aspect of Eduardo’s role at NMDT. Leadership development begins with a safe space where undocumented students can talk freely about their status. In this supportive atmosphere, NMDT then encourages them to engage in critical thinking, to challenge ideas that do not benefit their community, and to encourage peer learning in discussions about difficult topics.
“Our goal is always for young people to be directing and now pushing the organization in the direction that it needs to go.”
The upcoming U.S. presidential election has led to some uncertainty over the future of immigration policy, yet NMDT remains firmly committed to advancing its core priorities until Election Day and beyond. Eduardo emphasizes key focus areas of supporting voter registration and fostering increased civic engagement among young people of color, particularly women of color.
“They have had very little outreach and ability to get engaged in the electoral process,” Eduardo says, highlighting the discouraging trend of low voter turnout among people of color under the age of 25.
Eduardo recognizes that an electorate educated about local elections will lead to greater voter engagement and a more empowered community. There is space for them to wield influence in this process, he says, emphasizing that it’s important to let community members know this.
NMDT celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, finding itself at an exciting and pivotal juncture. Since its inception, NMDT has focused on social justice and improving the conditions of immigrant communities and recent arrivals in New Mexico. The team connects people to community and resources while working towards systems change in policy and infrastructure. Eduardo looks back on the team’s accomplishments with gratitude, particularly the successful implementation of policy changes at the state level and the establishment of a more inclusive environment for undocumented young people. “We’ve contributed to culture change here in New Mexico, and [increased] awareness of the realities that undocumented and mixed-status immigrant folks face,” he says.
NMDT regularly engages in educational anti-racism work with other organizations as well as within its members’ own communities, helping people understand the immigration system and how to best support newcomers. The group also ensures that its work operates on an intersectional level, uplifting voices from various other communities and walks of life to highlight the shared goal of helping marginalized communities thrive. For instance, NMDT regularly works with other social justice organizations and immigrant communities, as well as the Native American Community Academy (NACA) Inspired Schools Network, which Eduardo describes as one of NMDT’s most fruitful relationships.
“As much as we can draw solidarity and shared experiences with other communities, we can help each other.”
Looking ahead, Eduardo imagines a future in which his community is autonomous. He knows the importance of having local voices directly shaping decision-making, rather than decisions being made by distant authorities.
“Ultimately being able to live in harmony with each other and our planet is what liberation and justice looks like. And we have a lot of work to do. So we’re up for the challenge.”
