LAS COLONIAS

My name is Juana Garcia. I joined Colonias Development Council (CDC) team in June 2024 as an Accountant. Since then, I have expanded my responsibilities to include overseeing operations at Chaparral Family Development Center, managing duplex rental properties, and coordinating rental operations for FYI in Anthony, New Mexico. Through my dedication, initiative, and commitment to the organization, I advanced into my current role as Operations Manager. I take pride in serving our community and supporting CDC’s mission and continued success.

I began my journey at Colonias Development Council (CDC) as a volunteer at the age of 16. Since then, I have grown within the organization, serving as a caseworker and holding assistant positions in operations and management. I am an alumni of New Mexico State University (NMSU), where I graduated in 2025 with dual bachelor’s degrees in Communication Disorders and Linguistics.

Proud mom and coffee lover!

I am a Senior Caseworker and have been part of CDC since April 2017. I began my journey as a volunteer supporting the organization, and as I expanded my knowledge and strengthened my passion for helping others, I obtained my accreditation in May 2025. I currently specialize in waiver applications and assisting victims of violence. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies and spending time with my family.

My journey with Colonias Development Council began as a volunteer from 2002 to 2005. In 2014, I became a citizenship class instructor and joined the organization’s staff in 2015. I currently serve as a Senior Caseworker, specializing in Adjustment of Status cases, and have been an accredited representative through the Department of Justice (DOJ) since 2018. In my free time, I enjoy dancing and spending time at home with my children.

My journey with CDC began in 2015 when I volunteered at the reception desk for four months. I later joined the organization as a clerk. To this day, I am responsible for managing files, documents, and receipts. In my free time, I enjoy exercising, dancing, and spending time with my family.

My name is Estefanía Vizcarra, and I have been working with this organization for four years. I began my journey as a receptionist, and through continuous training, I have advanced to my current role as a Caseworker. I specialize in consular processes and locating final dispositions. I find this work deeply rewarding because I can relate to many of the cases, having immigrated to the United States at a very young age.

I am a Caseworker specializing in citizenship processes. I began my journey in this field as a high school volunteer in 2017, and I genuinely enjoy helping those in need. I am currently working toward obtaining my accreditation to better support our clients. Outside of work, I am a wife and mother to a baby boy, and I cherish spending quality time with my family.

I am a computer engineer with a degree earned in Mexico and currently work as a Caseworker at CDC, where I have been part of the team since July 2023. I specialize in FOIA requests, DS-260 forms for consular processing, I-751 petitions to remove conditions on residency, and DACA cases. I am known for my commitment, attention to detail, and dedication to supporting each client throughout their process. Outside of work, I enjoy dancing and sharing special moments with my family and friends.

I have been with CDC for 11 years. I began as a volunteer conducting mock interviews for citizenship students, and while pursuing my master’s degree in education, I started teaching citizenship classes. After three years, I became the lead teacher for the program, a role I continue to hold while also teaching classes. Helping students achieve their dream of becoming U.S. citizens is incredibly rewarding. Being part of their journey and witnessing their hard work pay off is what makes my job so meaningful.

I have been with Colonias Development Council for four years. My journey began in 2022 when I was a student in the citizenship program. After completing the program, I became a volunteer and later served as an assistant to the lead teacher. In this role, I began learning how to teach and support students throughout their citizenship journey. Eventually, I became a citizenship instructor, teaching classes in both El Paso and Las Cruces. What I enjoy most about my job is helping students become U.S. citizens and motivating them with my motto: “Positivos o negativos, siempre positivos” (“Whether positive or negative, always stay positive”).

María Luna has been with the organization since August of 2022. She is a Promotora de Apoyo familiar based in the Vado area assisting with outreach activities.

Xavier has been with CDC since 2021. He first began as a tutor with the CDC. Now, he manages the CDC website along with social media. Xavier has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, he also works for Student Life at NMSU as the Coordinator of Communications and Technology.