President Barack Obama’s announcement last week that federal authorities would waive the threat of deportation for young illegal immigrants who were brought to the country as small children and are in school, or are graduates or are serving in the military, was a political move — intended to boost his support among Latino voters. But Obama’s proposal, despite being political, should serve as a starting point for bipartisan agreement on immigration reform.

Most of the national debate over immigration focuses on illegal immigration. And while that issue must be addressed, there also is a need to update and reform immigration policy. Current policy is often burdened with red tape and is sometimes inhumane. It also hurts the United States economically in the global competition for talent.

Many immigrants have skills that can help grow the U.S. economy. Some have special talents that lead to job creation. Others are willing to work in jobs that most Americans avoid, mostly in agriculture.

Just about any person willing to leave his or her home country to come to the United States demonstrates courage and a willingness to work hard.

Timing his announcement just a week before his speech to a national Hispanic group, Obama tainted his proposal with political calculation. Despite that, it’s a start.

As expected, some political foes took shots at Obama’s plan. But it’s not a radical, unreasonable proposal, even if it only offers a short-term fix.

Thoughtful Republicans, often from border states, support immigration reform. Among those backing sensible immigration changes are Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., plus former President George W. Bush. But extreme elements within the GOP have blocked progress on the issue.

White House political strategists see Latino voters as critical to Obama’s re-election. And Latino enthusiasm has been lagging because many Hispanics fault Obama for not pressing immigration reform in the first three years of his administration.

Despite getting widespread news coverage, Obama’s proposal is a temporary fix, a band-aid on a problem that requires a comprehensive solution. But, it’s a start on an issue that does not rank as a high priority for most Americans.

Obama’s executive order will, temporarily, lift the threat of deportation from about 800,000 illegal, mostly young, Hispanic immigrants.

Last week, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and Obama spoke one day apart before a national group of Latino elected officials meeting in Florida. Romney offered a softer take on immigration than he presented during the primary campaign and expressed his belief that comprehensive immigration reform is necessary, for reasons of compassion, common sense and economics.

Romney also said the issue should generate bipartisan support. His plan would give green cards to immigrants who earn advanced degrees at American universities. This is based on the idea that immigrants with advanced degrees, especially in technology and engineering, would help create jobs and grow the U.S. economy. Romney also wants to cut red tape throughout the immigration process and also supports a path to legal status for illegal immigrants who have served in the U.S. military.

With the presidential election about four months away, the dueling proposals from Obama and Romney cannot be taken out of the political arena.

Even in the heated political climate of a presidential campaign, Romney and Obama suggest there is potential for Republicans and Democrats to find common ground in comprehensive immigration reform.

Politics will compel Obama and Romney to find some fault with each other’s proposals. But both men are backing measures that are similar and are not far-removed from the DREAM Act, which has been floating around Congress for a few years, but blocked by most Republicans.

Immigration reform is long overdue — and it’s critical to helping grow the U.S. economy. Romney and Obama know this and they should press their respective parties to come together and do something about it.