Over the years I have written many columns about illegal immigration and securing the border. 

Unfortunately, from the presidency of Ronald Reagan to the present, we have yet to secure our border with Mexico. 

Hypocrisy on both sides has permeated the debate. To be frank, big business enjoys using cheap labor from illegal immigrants and Democrats look at illegal immigration as a way eventually to expand their voter base. But Republicans and Democrats have failed to find a solution to this ongoing crisis. 

We should be clear. America no longer can afford open borders and unfettered illegal immigration. It’s worth noting a study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform shows illegal immigration costs American taxpayers a staggering $135 billion per year. Included in those costs are food stamps, welfare, free education, unpaid medical services, and a huge law enforcement bill. 

Caught in the middle are many minors — some came to America on their own, and others with their parents — now known as “dreamers,” after the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors, or DREAM, Act. 

The bill is intended to keep illegal-immigrant children who didn’t enter the U.S. voluntarily from being deported. In many cases, their parents are legal residents or even U.S. citizens, but the kids are neither. 

Various forms of the DREAM Act have come up since 2001, but it never has passed Congress. 

In 2012 President Obama circumvented Congress and the law essentially by shielding the dreamers from deportation for two years with his Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Executive Order. Dreamers who applied for temporary residency and stayed out of legal troubles were otherwise protected. 

In 2014, the courts blocked a planned expansion of DACA. 

In September, the Department of Justice announced it was effectively ending the DACA program for dreamers and the Department of Homeland Security provided a limited six-month window — which has been extended — for DACA recipients to renew their applications. 

Enter North Carolina’s own Sen. Thom Tillis, along with Sen. James Langford of Oklahoma, who recently introduced the Succeed Act. They describe it as merit-based legislation designed to resolve the legal uncertainty facing illegal minors. It would include provisions to help deter illegal immigration, prevent chain migration, and bar benefits for parents of children who are pursuing legal status. 

It requires all applicants to have a high school diploma, pass an extensive criminal background check, prove they arrived in the U.S. before June 15, 2012, and before their 16th birthday. 

Applicants also must pay off any existing tax liabilities or enter a repayment plan with the IRS. An applicant who meets all those requirements must agree to pursue at least one of the following: 

  • Serve honorably in the military for at least three years
  • Earn a postsecondary or vocational degree
  • Maintain gainful employment for 48 out of 60 months

If the applicant meets those obligations, pays taxes, and maintains a clean criminal record, then he or she becomes eligible to renew their conditional status for another five years. 

After 10 years of meeting those requirements, the applicant is eligible to become a lawful permanent resident. 

For those who fail, all bets are off. They would lose their conditional status and could be deported. 

Many of my friends on the Right initially called the Succeed Act amnesty. In his initial press conference Tillis answered his critics, saying, “I would not vote for bill if it was not paired with border security.” 

The Succeed Act, in my view, is a great opening bid in the immigration debate and worthy of serious discussion and consideration. 

Marc Rotterman is host of “Front Row” on UNC Public Television and The NC Channel. Follow him on Twitter @FrontRowmarc.