On March 20, 2024, Sen. Michael Bennet and U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, along with other Colorado lawmakers, called for oversight of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) concerning delays in employment authorization for recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as DACA.

“The over 13,000 Dreamers located throughout Colorado are actively contributing to our economy and nation every day and should be able to renew their employment authorizations in a timely manner,” wrote the Colorado lawmakers in a letter to the director of USCIS, Ur Jaddou. The term “Dreamers” refers to people who arrived in the United States at a young age. Despite being undocumented, they identify with this place as home and often have little recollection of the country where they were born.

The letter addresses numerous requests that the offices of Colorado lawmakers have received regarding the delays in employment authorization and how this has led to many people losing their jobs.

A DACA recipient of almost 15 years who wishes to remain anonymous — we’ll refer to him as “Lucas” — reflected with me on his experience with DACA and its lengthy renewal process alongside the delays.

“It made me feel a bit nervous, because by filling out that [DACA application], you would be exposing to the government that you’re here,” Lucas said. “My parents are undocumented, and so now [the government] knows all of that information just based on the form, and so it’s like you never know what could happen once the government has that information.”

Lucas handles that vulnerability by remembering the reasons why he applied for DACA: to be able to study and to work, to establish a successful career and to have access to higher education like everyone else. Even before DACA, Lucas wasn’t held back in his efforts to make his dreams come true; he would take on any learning experience that was available to him that didn’t require employment authorization.

“Even just doing that brought a lot of opportunities because [the people who taught me] put me in touch with someone at school so that I could at least get a headstart. Even though I wouldn’t be getting paid, I’m still learning,” Lucas said.

Two years ago, Lucas renewed DACA, but as soon as he received approval to continue working and living in the United States, he had to begin the renewal process. Lucas mentioned that with delays and the lengthy process, it’s better to get ahead while you can. The renewal process is similar to the initial application. The only thing that differs is that recipients now have jobs and they need to report proof of employment authorization, otherwise that employment is threatened.

“I need to plan at least three months ahead in order for it to all arrive on time to be able to show my work that I have renewed my card so that they can mark it in their system,” Lucas said. “The only thing that is challenging is that if you file your renewal application three months ahead, or earlier, your time with employment authorization expires earlier.”

He added, “It’s better to do it early though because you never know. Next week, something or someone can change a law and all of a sudden nobody can apply anymore.” He admitted, “It kind of feels dreadful. You don’t know when things are going to change and you’re very vulnerable to whatever someone decides.”

Lucas used to worry about the uncertainty of DACA. He now understands that the delays in employment authorization not only impact employment but, as time passes, they leave room for potential change.

“Everybody who is a part of DACA is kind of just stuck in this limbo where nothing is happening. You’re not illegal, but at the same time, you can’t do anything that a citizen can do. [The government] needs to make a decision,” Lucas said. “DACA is not a solution to the problem; it’s a Band-Aid.”

As this election year plays out and Lucas progresses through graduate school, he encourages those who are in favor of supporting DACA recipients toward a pathway to stability, to exercise their right to vote.

“We just want to become productive members of society,” he said.