State of Immigration in USA; the positive side

There’s a word I don’t see often: “diaspora.” One meaning of the word derived from the Greek wordsdiaspeirein to scatter, from dia- +speirein to sow, is the movement, migration, or scattering of a people away from an established or ancestral homeland. Isn’t that what is happening on our southern border which gives immigration a bad name? Over the last 30 or so years, the U.S. has experienced a huge displacement of people from Latin America. The first Amnesty Bill signed by President Reagan legalized the status of 6 to 8 million people here illegally. Drawn by our liberty, religious freedom, and jobs and higher wages, 12 to 20 million have arrived in this country from the south. The vast number are from Mexico with a lesser number coming from Central America.

Efforts to secure the border with fences and border patrol agents and deportations have not stemmed the flow. No other country allows its borders to act as a sieve. Some say that the priority in dealing with illegal immigration is a secure border first, then some solution for the immigrants already part of our society. Others, encourage the movement into the country thinking it will redound to their political power or corporate financial power.

One thing is certain. The majority of Americans will not support wholesale deportation of those here illegally and not U.S. citizens. No amount of speechifying will convince American citizens that you can rip 12 to 20 million people from their homes and be better off.

This Is Not My America

The LA Times reports, "Michael Brown, an unarmed black 18-year-old who was about to begin college, was shot multiple times and killed Saturday afternoon in a confrontation with a police officer in Ferguson, Mo., a St. Louis suburb."
The police have one version of the event, eye-witnesses have an alternate story. The result was a riot and looting on Sunday and Monday and numerous arrests.

I have two major concerns. The first is the militarization of our police forces. Anymore, the police come to an incident dressed like SWAT teams exiting from vehicles that look like military assault vehicles. Martin Armstrong believes "The police are being transformed from protecting the public into protecting government from the public." That is dangerous for our liberty.

My second major concern is the lack of growth in our incomes in the last 14 years.
Zero Hedge has an article about how much of our incomes are devoted to rent. More and more people are switching from owning a home to renting. Home ownership has fallen from +69% to -65% since 2003.  The result has been rents rising against falling incomes.Financial advisers might council that housing should be around 30% of your income.
We are seeing a growing trend in this country where housing is over 50% of a family's income. What happens to our society when all you can afford is housing and food? Are we seeing pent up rage over the economy and its slow growth? Do riots like Ferguson signal that our veneer of civilization is about to tear?
I suggest Yes is the answer to all of the above!

TRAVEL + LEISURE Strangest Vacation Rentals

The Seashell House, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Architect Eduardo Ocampo constructed the glittering, oddly beautiful “Casa Caracol” as a vacation home for his brother, famous painter Octavio Ocampo. It looks like something fantastical out of a Tim Burton movie set. But rather than some sound stage, the casa is located on a tiny island across the street from the Caribbean Sea. While generally peaceful and private despite its proximity to Cancún, the eye-catching rental attracts some oglers. As the listing notes, “Privacy is sometimes lost as tourists on golf carts notice the spectacular architecture and stop to gawk over the fence—making you suddenly understand how celebrities feel.” $225 per night with a two-night minimum; airbnb.com

Renowned 'La Isla' Shopping Center to be Built in Puerto Vallarta

Renowned 'La Isla' Shopping Center to be Built in Puerto Vallarta

The commercial project will be located on the north side of the Grand Venetian touristic real estate development, overlooking the Pitillal River.

Contemplated work would involve a comprehensive series of jobs, which includes the remodeling and renovation of Peninsula Plaza, enclosing 'The Island' property, and building a connecting bridge over the Pitillal River.

Thus the project of La Isla Puerto Vallarta would combine two areas: the Peninsula shopping plaza, which the capital business group has already acquired for an undisclosed amount, and the property on which the 'Very Mexican' mall will be built.

Don't Fear Choosing the "Wrong" Retirement Destination

From International Living comes this timely piece: Don't Fear Choosing the "Wrong" Retirement Destination By Edd Staton Couple friends we've known for several years unexpectedly announced to my wife and me recently that they're leaving Cuenca and relocating to a different part of Ecuador. A week ago another friend said she and her husband are going back to the States after 10 years here. We're aware of several other people who are presently looking to move from one part of Cuenca to another.

What's going on, you might ask? Life is going on.

When you're thinking about relocating abroad it all seems so...different (it is)...and permanent. (That's not necessarily true.)

People have asked me many times, "So, do you think you'll live in Cuenca forever?" My standard reply is, "I have no idea what forever means."

Who really knows what the future holds? In my case, I can honestly say that 10 years ago I had no thought of living in Cuenca. Heck, I'd never even heard of Cuenca!

Once you arrive in a new location, health conditions can change. Unforeseen family matters may surface. Or perhaps what you thought would make you happy just doesn't.

It's not constructive to put unnecessary pressure on yourself when the thought of moving to another country is daunting enough already. We knew a couple who decided to move back to the U.S. six months after they arrived here. They said to us, "Hey, we learned this isn't our thing, but you know what? We had a great adventure!"

But, unpredictable circumstances aside, there is a crucial question to ask yourself that will dramatically increase your odds of making a great initial decision:

What do I want?

People sometimes write to me and say they are coming to Ecuador to decide whether to live in Cuenca or on the coast. I always tell them they don't need to go to all that trouble—you've been to the beach, and you've been to the mountains—what do you want to wake up to every day?

After deciding where to relocate, I've seen so many people relax and let their guard down. I encourage you to keep asking that same essential question.

You fall in love with a particular residence. The view! The layout! The kitchen!

All those things matter, but what's more crucial is what your life is going to look like outside those walls 24-7-365.

Is the building in a desirable area? Will you be convenient to public transportation if you aren't purchasing a vehicle? What's going to happen with that vacant lot next door? Are there dogs/roosters/partiers nearby that will drive you nuts?

Be aware that what you want now can change over time. You always dreamed of living at the beach. You move there. You love it for a while; then you think maybe you'd like to try living in the countryside. Nothing wrong with that. Go for it!

Understand that your initial choice of a new destination isn't a prison sentence. If things don't work out for whatever reason, that doesn't mean you made a huge mistake. Or that you are a failure or a dummy.

Do the internal homework to provide your best possible chance of success with moving and living abroad. 

Then be kind to yourself if life throws you a curve ball.

Because it probably will.

Editor's note: A few years ago, Edd Staton was in the same situation as a lot of IL readers. He and his wife Cynthia had both lost their "secure" jobs...and with them, the nest egg that they were looking forward to using for their retirement. So they decided to make a change—the same one you're thinking of—and move overseas to find a better retirement.

Edd will tell you what they learned...and how you could follow in his and Cynthia's footsteps...at the 2014 Fast Track Your Retirement Overseas Conference. You can reserve your place—with a $200 Early Bird discount—here.

Or, to find out more about this massive event, click here.

Surviving Yucatan

I just added an exciting blog to my Blog Roll. Surviving Yucatan is just packed with information for expats or people thinking about becoming an expat. Here are just a few of posts I recommend:

ACA - Obamacare's Effects on American Expats Living Abroad

1 What Can I Bring into Mexico: Mexican Customs Rules - The Article

~ Current Rules and Procedures for Immigration, Visiting, and Staying in Mexico

How to Move Money from the USA to Mexico: Checks, Wire Transfers, ATMs

New 2014 Tax Laws for Mexico that Affect Expats and Foreigners

Importing & Driving a Car in Mexico

New Immigration Law Published for Mexico - The Article

I will be following this blog closely from now on. I hope you check it out

The Secret Of San Miguel's Success