New Mexico State University’s Dream Team is offering students a welcoming club on campus in a world where fear and uncertainty can feel overwhelming. From providing a safe space for marginalized students, to advocating for immigrant communities, the Dream Team is creating a unique and hopeful movement of solidarity. 

Rya Martinez, chapter lead and president of the Dream Team describes it as a student-led club aiming to create a world where everyone, regardless of status, can live free and liberated. They maintain a focus on creating power for marginalized communities, including, but not limited to, those who may be LGBTQ+, mixed status, or undocumented. 

Because feelings of isolation due to their identity are common for many students, the Dream Team seeks to counter this by offering a safe space for those in need and extending support to people outside of the NMSU community. 

“I was really just looking for people who kind of got me…it just got kind of isolating meeting people around here and not having the same values. But on top of that…with the ICE raids, that kind of freaked me out and I wanted to be more involved on campus” Angie Guerra, a member of the club said. 

Karla Robles, a long-time member of the Dream Team, highlights a challenge that often goes unspoken at NMSU: Despite the university’s large Hispanic population, it is not officially a sanctuary school. As a result, many students and their families face difficulties related to their citizenship status. 

One of the Dream Team’s primary goals is the creation of the Dream Center—an on-campus facility that would provide safety, resources, and support for undocumented students. 

“[The] Dream Center would provide holistic support for undocumented students and students of all immigration backgrounds…being undocumented affects you not only in getting a job, but also educationally and when it comes to food security, transportation…There’s a lot of barriers that exist. So that would help mitigate a lot of those, and we don’t have that,” Robles said. 

Currently, NMSU does not provide the resources, funding, or safe spaces that the Dream Team envisions. Given the university’s large Hispanic population, this gap can create significant challenges for students and their families.

“It doesn’t just have to do with administration, but it more so just has to do with the fact that, like, the school would essentially be saying, ‘Yes, we are backing you guys up, and we’re putting our money where our mouth is,’” Martinez said. 

Members of the Dream Team feel that because of the university’s lack of title as a sanctuary school, many students can be left feeling fear for themselves or others. During such a time, the team urges the NMSU community to look out for one another and aid each other when needed. 

“I think that spark has definitely…grown into like a big flame, especially given the political environment. And it honestly shows more than ever that we do need each other. We do need community,” Martinez said.  

In the city of Las Cruces, 67.6% identify as Hispanic. According to NMSU’s quick facts sheet, 58.8% of the students attending the Las Cruces campus identify as Hispanic.  

With such a vibrant and diverse community, providing resources and support that address the unique needs of students from different backgrounds is crucial. The Dream Team works to foster inclusivity, cultural understanding, and accessibility for students facing challenges related to their identity or immigration status.   

Through their work, the Dream Team has created a space where students can connect, support one another, and navigate the challenges of campus life together.  

“If you feel that spark of wanting to get involved and wanting to do something, like, any fight is a good fight to fight and join people on.” Robles said.  

In a community as diverse as NMSU’s, standing in solidarity can make a real difference—both on campus and beyond. NMSU students interested in advocating for and assisting immigrant communities is encouraged to join. Students interested in supporting the Dream Team can attend meetings every Thursday from 3-4 p.m. in Garcia Center located in room 238 or follow their Instagram.