At 25 years of age, Carlos Eduardo Espina has become a TikTok sensation and the voice of millions of immigrants and young Latinos in the United States. The activist, born in Montevideo, Uruguay, and raised in Texas, uses social media to speak out about policies that affect the Latino community.

His most recent accomplishment was the informal but profound chat he had with former President Barack Obama. In the TikTok video, Espina thanked him, first and foremost, for signing 12 years ago the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), thanks to which many of his friends were able to obtain work permits and protection from deportation.

He then asked Obama what they could do to get laws enacted to ensure the well-being of immigrants in the United States, to which the former Democratic president responded with a quick lesson in empowerment and democratic action that surely filled all his followers with pride and emotion.

https://www.tiktok.com/@carlos_eduardo_espina/video/7415649948244495659?embed_source=121374463%2C121451205%2C121439635%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121351166%2C72778570%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_masking&refer=embed&referer_url=www.enstarz.com%2Flatino%2Farticles%2F10400%2F20240918%2Fconoce-carlos-eduardo-espina-el-tiktoker-latino-que-logro-hablar-con-obama-y-biden.htm&referer_video_id=7382018800197242158 

Espina not only comments on what is going on, but does so from personal and professional experience, as he studied Political Science and recently graduated as a lawyer. The tiktoker addresses in his account everything from complex issues with a clear and direct approach to gossip about Latino entertainment activists involved in U.S. politics (such as the case of Nicky Jam and Trump).

All of this has led the Uruguayan-American to be the talk of the town,  of even making it to American late night show hosts who have mocked him for what he has been doing in networks, for being a lawyer but gaining immense popularity as a tiktoker.

Will they feel threatened, will a new breed of political commentators be born and their platform is TikTok, will people like Espina have much more reach in their networks than traditional TV? The day will dawn and we shall see, as the saying goes.

Activism beyond the networks

Espina is the son of a Uruguayan father and a Mexican mother, and that mix of cultures has given him a unique perspective in addressing immigration and civil rights issues.

According to his website, where he advises Latinos on immigration issues, Carlos showed his interest in social causes since he was a young boy. In 2017, he founded "Soccer for the Future," an organization focused on providing opportunities to underprivileged youth. And in 2019, he went a step further by creating the "Solidarity Fund for Detained Refugees," aimed at helping immigrants and refugees in ICE detention centers in the United States.

https://www.tiktok.com/@carlos_eduardo_espina/video/7382018800197242158?embed_source=121374463%2C121451205%2C121439635%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121351166%2C72778570%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_masking&refer=embed&referer_url=www.enstarz.com%2Flatino%2Farticles%2F10400%2F20240918%2Fconoce-carlos-eduardo-espina-el-tiktoker-latino-que-logro-hablar-con-obama-y-biden.htm&referer_video_id=7382018800197242158 

But what has really catapulted him to fame is his presence on TikTok. Carlos has more than 10.3 million followers and nearly 585 million likes. He is not afraid to talk about the most complex issues related to immigration, politics and human rights, albeit with a fresh and realistic perspective.

Espina has become a bridge of sorts between Democratic politicians and Latino communities, and his voice has been instrumental in bringing visibility to the challenges facing immigrants in the United States.

In August 2024, Carlos took the stage at the Democratic National Convention to speak about immigrant rights. It was a historic moment that confirmed his status as one of the most important Latino activists in the country today.

As a result of his work and  impact on the community, he received the "Inspirational Creator" award at the Premios Juventud 2024. Carlos Espina is a clear example of how a voice can generate impact through networks to drive social movements.