Community over competition! đđœ . Join us as we chat with Lucy Flores about how she builds community in a foreign country as a digital nomad in Playa del Carmen. đ We also chat about centering ourselves to build community and to align with our purpose.đ§đ»âïž
Building Community as a Digital Nomad with Lucy Flores - Playa del Carmen, MXyoutu.be
In 2025, the Lunar New Year festivities begin on January 29, marking the start of the Year of the Wood Snake. This year brings a special energy rooted in transformation, wisdom, and growth. The practice of feng shui instructs us how to direct the energies that come our way, and understanding the annual energies can provide clarity and direction.
Whether you celebrate with family traditions or just take inspiration from the themes of the Chinese zodiac, this is a powerful time to embrace change and align with your deepest goals.
The Snake, often misunderstood in Western traditions, is a revered symbol in Chinese culture. Known for its wisdom and ability to shed its skin, the Snake represents renewal and transformation. The Wood element of this year adds to that by representing creativity, adaptability, and personal growth, making 2025 the perfect time to pursue new opportunities and expand your horizons.
The Snake is seen as a creature of elegance, intuition, and strategy in Chinese culture. Its ability to shed its skin symbolizes transformation, an idea that influences the energy of 2025. If youâve been feeling stuck or unsure of your next steps, the Year of the Wood Snake offers the perfect environment for change.
In Chinese astrology, people born in a Snake year are often described as intelligent, resourceful, and charming. Theyâre said to have a quiet strength, capable of navigating lifeâs challenges with grace and foresight. These qualities define the energy of 2025 from a Chinese astrology perspective, encouraging everyone to think carefully, act deliberately, and embrace opportunities for growth.
The Chinese horoscope establishes 2025 as a year of transformation and growth, both on personal and collective levels. The Snakeâs energy inspires strategic thinking, making it a time to plan carefully and move forward with confidence. If youâve been working hard in your career, 2025 could bring long-awaited breakthroughs. Many may see opportunities for financial growth as well, but itâs important to remain patient and avoid impulsive decisions.
The introspective nature of the Snake also encourages spiritual development. You might find yourself drawn to activities like meditation, journaling, or spending quiet time in nature. These practices can help you connect with your inner wisdom and navigate the yearâs challenges with clarity and purpose.
However, not every sign will experience the Year of the Snake in the same way. For some, this will be a time of great fortune, while others may need to approach the year with extra caution and resilience. Itâs forecasted that those born in the year of the Tiger will face the most significant challenges, with potential setbacks in various areas of life, while the Snake, as the ruling sign of the year, is expected to have the most favorable experiences overall, with opportunities for growth and transformation.
While each sign will have their own unique energies to navigate, overall, the Year of the Wood Snake is favorable if approached correctly. The Wood Snake energy isnât about rushing toward your goals or forcing outcomes. Instead, itâs about aligning with your inner wisdom and trusting the process. Just as the Snake moves deliberately, so should we. This is a year to shed old habits, embrace new opportunities, and approach life with patience and intention.
Transformation takes time, but it also takes courage. If there are parts of your life that no longer serve youâwhether itâs a job, a relationship, or even a mindsetâthis might be the year to let them go. In their place, Chinese astrology encourages people to create space for something new and trust that the changes they make now will set the foundation for future growth.
At the same time, it encourages us to think strategically. Rather than diving into decisions headfirst, take the time to reflect, research, and plan. Whether youâre pursuing a new career path, starting a creative project, or deepening your relationships, careful preparation will ensure lasting success.
Spiritual growth is another key theme of this Lunar New Year. The Snakeâs introspective nature is an invitation to slow down and connect with ourselves on a deeper level. Activities like mindfulness, yoga, or simply taking quiet moments to reflect can help you tune into your intuition and make decisions that truly align with your values.
Lunar New Year is often celebrated with joy and gratitude, and itâs no different this year. The traditions that define the Lunar New Year are all reminders of renewal and the importance of community. In many households, elders pass down red envelopes filled with money to younger generations, symbolizing blessings for the year ahead.
For those who donât celebrate Lunar New Year traditionally, thereâs still much to learn and embrace from the themes of the Wood Snake. This is a year to reflect on your growth, honor your resilience, and move forward with intention. Even small changes can lead to profound transformations, just as a snake sheds its skin to grow stronger.
The Year of the Wood Snake reminds us that transformation isnât always dramatic. Instead, it can be subtle, quiet, and deeply personal. Itâs about trusting the process, honoring your intuition, and moving through life with grace and purpose. Whether youâre starting a new chapter, deepening existing commitments, or simply seeking clarity, this year offers the perfect opportunity to align with your true self and embrace the possibilities ahead.
As you step into the Year of the Snake, take a moment to reflect on what you want to leave behind and what youâre ready to embrace. Transformation, after all, begins with a single, intentional step.
The U.S. Congress passed the Laken Riley Act, a sweeping immigration enforcement bill named after a Georgia nursing student whose tragic death became a flashpoint in the national immigration debate. The bill, which received support from 12 of the 47 Democrats in the U.S. Senate, joined Republicans in backing the bill, marking a significant shift from previous immigration discussions led by Democrats. The bill now awaits President Donald Trump's signature and is expected to be the first major legislation signed into law during his second term.
On January 22, 2025, the House of Representatives approved the final version of the bill by a vote of 263-156. This followed the Senate's passage earlier in the week, where the legislation garnered a 64-35 majority. Forty-six Democrats in the House also crossed party lines to back the bill.
The Laken Riley Act introduces a comprehensive overhaul of immigration enforcement policy, significantly expanding the scope of federal and state authority while broadening the circumstances under which undocumented immigrants can face detention and deportation. These changes have far-reaching implications for individuals, state governments, and international relations.
One of the most controversial aspects of the bill is mandatory detention. The law requires that undocumented immigrants be detained not only if theyâre convicted of specific crimes but also if theyâre arrested or charged, even in cases where no conviction occurs. This marks a substantial departure from previous policies, where enforcement often focused on individuals with significant criminal convictions.
The act targets a range of offenses, including burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, assault on law enforcement officers, and any crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury. By expanding the criteria to include minor crimes like shoplifting, the law casts a wide net, capturing individuals who may not pose significant public safety risks.
Critics have raised concerns that this could strain resources, particularly detention facilities, and result in unintended consequences for individuals and families caught in the system. A recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo estimated the need for new jail beds to be over 100,000 and the costs of enforcement of the new law to be over $26 billion.
The Laken Riley Act grants state attorneys general significant new authority to sue the federal government over perceived failures in immigration enforcement, including actions related to detention, deportation, and visa policies. This shift decentralizes immigration enforcement, potentially leading to inconsistent application across states.
Additionally, the bill allows states to compel visa sanctions on countries that donât cooperate with deportations and removes such cases from the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, transferring them to local district courts. These changes are expected to increase localized legal disputes, adding complexity to the enforcement process.
The Laken Riley Act also introduces mechanisms for imposing court-ordered visa restrictions on countries that fail to accept deported nationals in a timely manner. These visa sanctions apply to both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, potentially limiting travel and economic exchanges with affected countries.
The bill also enables state officials to seek court orders for the deportation of specific individuals, bypassing the need for approval from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Critics argue that this creates a decentralized approach to immigration enforcement that may lead to inconsistencies in its application.
While the bill marks a significant legislative milestone, its implementation faces substantial obstacles. The t extraordinarily high estimated cost of approximately $26.9 billion in its first year alone is largely due to the need to expand detention capacity to 151,500 bedsâup from the current 41,500. However, the bill doesnât allocate additional funding for these requirements, raising concerns about how federal agencies will meet the new mandates.
Another potential hurdle lies in the legal challenges the bill is likely to face. The expanded powers granted to states, particularly the ability to sue the federal government over immigration policy, may prompt constitutional scrutiny. Critics argue that this provision could lead to a flood of lawsuits, complicating the enforcement of immigration laws and overburdening federal courts.
The passage of the Laken Riley Act coincides with a series of executive orders issued by Donald Trump. Together, these legislative and executive actions are being presented as an effort to tighten immigration enforcement and strengthen border security. In response to these significant shifts in U.S. immigration policy, including reinstating the "Remain in Mexico" policy, suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, and enhancing vetting processes for visa applicants, Mexicoâs President Claudia Sheinbaum has taken a more balanced approach, emphasizing national sovereignty while addressing the humanitarian challenges posed by potential mass deportations.
Sheinbaum has stated that Mexico has its "own migratory policies" and will engage in dialogue with U.S. agencies to manage the evolving situation. At the same time, the Mexican government has launched the "Mexico Embraces You" program to support returning deportees. This initiative includes setting up reception centers at border crossings, providing debit cards with 2,000 pesos (approximately $98) for transportation, and offering priority access to work programs, social security, and welfare services.
Additionally, Sheinbaum has committed to a humanitarian approach, particularly for those stranded in cold conditions along the border. While Mexico may accept deportees beyond its own citizens temporarily, it plans to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of non-Mexican nationals to their home countries in compliance with the countryâs migration policy.
President Trump is expected to sign the bill into law in the coming days. Once enacted, federal agencies, particularly ICE, will need to quickly develop plans to implement the new requirements. This will likely involve hiring additional personnel, building or expanding detention facilities, and coordinating with state and local governments.
Congressional Republicans, meanwhile, are strategizing on how to secure funding for the bill's implementation and the broader immigration priorities of the Trump administration. This may involve budget reconciliation measures or additional legislative proposals in the months ahead.
The passage of the Laken Riley Act represents one of the most expansive shifts in U.S. immigration enforcement policy in recent decades, with far-reaching implications for law enforcement, immigrant communities, the national budget, and the broader political landscape. As the legislation moves toward implementation, debates over its practical, legal, and ethical ramifications are expected to intensify in the coming months.
In his first days as President, Donald Trumpâs administration has already implemented significant changes to U.S. immigration policies, with heightened enforcement activities creating uncertainty for immigrant communities across the nation. The administration has indicated plans for increased immigration raids and a tougher stance on undocumented immigrants, focusing on sanctuary cities and areas historically protected from enforcement actions.
Since taking office on January 20, 2025, President Trump has signed several executive orders aimed at intensifying immigration enforcement. Key changes include rescinding policies that restricted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations near sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, and houses of worship. ICE agents now have greater freedom to conduct enforcement actions in these areas.
Additionally, Trump has issued an executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship for children born to non-citizens and non-permanent residents in the United States, effective February 19, 2025 (though legal experts have said that the President does not have the authority to amend the constitution by executive order). Expedited removal procedures, previously limited to those apprehended within 100 miles of U.S. borders, have been expanded nationwide. This order expands fast-track deportations nationwide and applies to immigrants who can't prove two years of continuous U.S. residence, allowing ICE to deport more people without hearings.
The administration has also reinstated the "Remain in Mexico" policy, requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed in the United States. This policy has drawn criticism from immigrant rights advocates and created logistical challenges for migrants seeking safety.
Although large-scale raids have not yet occurred, officials have indicated plans to target major metropolitan areas, including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Denver, and Washington, D.C. These operations are expected to include workplace raids and targeted enforcement actions in sanctuary jurisdictions.
Some small-scale raids have already taken place. From January 9 to January 11, 2025, Border Patrol agents conducted a series of raids in Kern County, California, near Bakersfield. This operation, dubbed "Operation Return to Sender," resulted in 78 arrests of undocumented individuals, some with prior criminal records. The United Farm Workers union estimates the actual number of arrests may be closer to 200.
ICE teams have also been conducting routine enforcement operations across the country, arresting individuals deemed threats to public safety and national security. Under the new administration's policies, ICE agents now have greater discretion in their actions, including the ability to make "collateral arrests" of undocumented individuals encountered during operations who may not have been the primary targets.
The new policies have significantly heightened fear and uncertainty among immigrant communities. Families are questioning whether itâs safe to send children to school, seek medical care, or access other essential services. The prospect of increased enforcement actions has prompted many immigrants to avoid public spaces, limit their travel, and take precautions to minimize interactions with authorities.
Immigrants, regardless of status, have certain constitutional rights that they can exercise when interacting with law enforcement, including ICE agents. Legal experts have circulated guidance:
Immigrants have the right to remain silent and should avoid answering questions about their immigration status. Running or resisting could escalate the situation.
Immigration officials cannot enter homes or search personal property without a valid judicial warrant. Immigrants should request to see the warrant before complying.
Do not sign any paperwork without consulting a lawyer. Documents may waive important rights or lead to expedited deportation.
Immigrants have the right to legal representation, even if they cannot afford an attorney. They should explicitly request a lawyer during interactions with authorities.
If possible, take note of badge numbers, names, and details of the interaction.
If ICE agents arrive at a home, residents arenât required to open the door unless agents present a valid warrant. Itâs advisable to ask officials to slide the warrant under the door to verify its legitimacy. If agents enter without permission, residents should state clearly that they donât consent to the search.
Immigrants working in the United States, including undocumented workers, have rights that protect them from discrimination and exploitation. Theyâre entitled to minimum wage, overtime pay, and workplace safety protections. During workplace raids, employees should avoid signing documents or providing statements without legal counsel.
Several organizations provide resources and assistance to immigrants navigating these challenges. These include the National Immigration Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, and local immigrant rights groups. Many organizations distribute "Know Your Rights" cards that immigrants can carry to help assert their rights during encounters with law enforcement.
To prepare for potential enforcement actions, immigration advocates encourage the development of a family preparedness plan, which includes:
For those with children, they recommend:
While legal experts and advocates circulate guidance, itâs not legal advice and a qualified attorney should always be consulted in each individualâs circumstance.
The Trump administrationâs recent policy changes have created a complex and uncertain environment for immigrants in the United States. Immigrants and undocumented people can protect themselves by understanding their rights, staying informed through trusted sources, and seeking legal assistance when needed.
These leading organizations are reliable places to start when seeking information and legal resources:
