The study aims to analyze the implementation of the Quotas Law – Law n. 12.711/12 – in four Brazilian federal universities from the perspective of Mid-Level Bureaucrats (MLBs). The methodology used was qualitative, combining analysis of university council minutes, management reports, and interviews with pro-rectors of the selected universities. Ten interviews were conducted, four of which were analyzed in this article. The research observes the challenges faced by the institutions and the arrangements made by bureaucrats during the process of implementing the legislation. The results indicate that, although the Quotas Law was widely implemented, its execution involved challenges related to the validation of student enrollment, especially regarding income verification and racial self-declaration. The study also highlighted the need for student retention policies, as the law’s implementation did not guarantee sufficient resources for long-term financial support for quota students. Our interviewees noted that student retention in higher education plays a crucial role in the success of affirmative action policies.