Illegal Immigration Is Up.....

A report recently ran citing that illegal immigration is up in this country while the number of deportations are down. This is a DHS issue, of course, because it involves undocumented people entering into the country without any real record of who they are and what their possible intentions are. For the most part, people entering the country illegally are looking for work but we still have to take this report seriously. With New Year’s even almost upon us, security in this country tightens because there will be many parities hosted with large gatherings.

Jeh Johnson of the DHS recently spoke to reporters about the increase in illegal immigration. An administration official said the drop in deportations was at least partially due to the surge of illegal immigrants from Central America, who require detention, flights and travel documents, which makes them more expensive to deport versus the cost to deport illegal Mexicans, who can usually be quickly sent back across the land border.

The official also said part of the problem is that so-called “sanctuary city” localities are increasingly refusing to turn immigrants over to federal authorities for deportation. Homeland Security said localities refused 10,182 different requests from federal agents to hold illegal immigrants the agents wanted to pick up for deportation. (Washington Times)
Regardless if the numbers are slightly up or slightly down, the problem remains and will be carried into 2015 as an issue this country has yet to resolve. In fact, I don’t believe there is a “one size fits all” solution right now to address this problem. I’ve said several times on this blog that there has to be a series of protocols implemented but the ability for the DHS to look at illegal immigrants on a case-by-case basis before deciding if they should be deported or provided with an option to apply for citizenship. Either way, this is certainly an issue I will continue to address in the New Year.

2015 will be interesting for us as a country and from a homeland security perspective. I look forward to covering these topics (and more) for all of you in the future. This said, I will be taking a break from the blog to celebrate the holidays- returning with a post on Friday, January 26th.

Twyla N. Garrett

How to waste time in business!

My biggest pet peeve when it comes to business owners are those who seek success but also pray for miracles or reach for silver bullets. You have to put the time in. Not a single person who has been successful in business wished their way there. No one has a magic wand. So, if you are not going to commit to your business and you plan on using shortcuts, know that you are wasting your time!

Let's be honest here.... a lot of people TALK about owning or starting a business. But, many don't because there really is no shortcut to launching a business or finding funding. So, why put in all the work to launch a product or brand and then give up by using shortcuts or hoping for miracles when it comes to sales and marketing? Do you see where I am going with this?

Inc.com recently noted "hoping for shortcuts" as their number three time waster. I disagree. It is the number one time waster in business because shortcuts mean that you don't care! And, if you don't care - don't go into business.

Do you know time wasters? People who love shortcuts or those who wish for magic wands and avoid problems? If so, let's continue this conversation on Twitter. Feel free to DM me.

Twyla