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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. President Obamas sweeping order to free from the threat of deportation some 5 million illegal immigrants just resets the comprehensive immigration reform debate to zero at best. At worst, it could completely derail it at a time when a new set of lawmakers is due in Washington to try its hand.

Last month, the president announced executive action that would defer for three years the deportation of about 5 million of an estimated 11.7 million illegal immigrants now living in the United States. The order applies mostly to people who have been in the country five years or more and have kids who are citizens. It also broadens a deferred action program for children brought to the U.S. illegally.

And while Obamas order may not be the type of amnesty the U.S. offered during the 1980s, when there were about 3 million illegal immigrants, it sends a message that it may still be worth it to enter the U.S. illegally or overstay a visa in the hopes of hitting the forgiveness period the next time a free pass of some sort is offered.

Already, the immigration plan is mired in questions.

Since Obama wont be president three years from now, what happens after his reprieve is up? Will the immigrants be booted out of the country after registering with the government and living openly? Since criminals do not qualify, will presenting documents to prove residency that include a fake or stolen Social Security number count as a crime? Are people who have children here but were unlucky enough to have been deported shortly before Obamas order simply out of luck?

Obamas order does nothing to recognize would-be immigrants who have played by the rules and are still waiting in line to enter the country through legal means. What kind of lesson should they take away?

Immigration reform is long overdue and lawmakers of both parties have kicked it down the road too long. But, after putting action off for six years himself for cynical political reasons including times when his political party controlled both houses of Congress Obamas move simply starts a process that may not last beyond early next year, when Republicans take control of the Senate.

It also underlines that he isnt serious about border security in the sense of preventing another wave of illegal immigration even if we have comprehensive reform and cant be trusted on that score. Because border security isnt simply about interdiction, its about consequences.

The new Congress should get serious about passing legislation that deals with the issue for all 11.7 million keeping U.S. interests at the forefront. Most Americans, and immigrants who would be affected by real reform, would likely prefer that to a temporary executive order.

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Editorial: Immigration action does too much and too little