Colorado State Capitol, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020.
Olivia began babysitting as a teenager to earn extra money for her family. Now in her 30s, she recently earned an early childhood education credential and dreams of starting a licensed child care business in her home.
But that won’t happen under current Colorado law.
Olivia is an undocumented immigrant; she came to the U.S. at 10 years old and is now trying to become a citizen. She asked Colorado Public Radio News to only use her middle name out of fear her participation in a story could negatively affect her citizenship application.
“We are people who are trying to do better,” she said. “We’re trying to do it right. If you only see it, like ‘it’s just a license….’ Oh no! It’s our future. It’s our little kids’ future.”