Tag: Travel

The Nexus Between Immigration & National Security with Todd Bensman (Ep. 33)

The Nexus Between Immigration & National Security with Todd Bensman (Ep. 33)

When Trump was in office, he introduced a policy that limited immigration to less than 10% of applicants. That policy will soon expire and allow many to enter the US by claiming asylum. 

In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Todd Bensman, renowned author, journalist, and Texas-based Senior National Security Fellow for the Center for Immigration Studies. Todd details his expertise in immigration and national security while explaining the ins and outs of  Title 42 and how its expiration will change the way immigration works for those looking to enter the country.

Todd discusses:

  • Biden’s approach to the current immigration policy 
  • What lessening the policy further could mean for the number of immigrants, both legitimate and illegitimate
  • Ways immigration expansion impacts border patrol careers
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Todd Bensman:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

Todd Bensman is a full-time Texas-based Senior National Security Fellow for the Center for Immigration Studies, a D.C.-based policy institute examining immigration, and he is the author of the forthcoming book, “ Overrun: How Joe Biden Unleashed the Greatest Border Crisis in U.S. History” (Post Hill Press/Bombardier Books coming February 2023) and “America’s Covert Border War” (Bombardier Books 2021).

He joined CIS following nine years in counterterrorism intelligence and, before that, a two-decade-long career as a journalist. He writes, speaks, and grants media interviews as an expert on immigration security and counterterrorism, about which he has testified before Congress. 

Travel to Discover & Heal: Returning to Ghana as an African American with Lester Young (Ep. 30)

Travel to Discover & Heal: Returning to Ghana as an African American with Lester Young (Ep. 30)

After being incarcerated and receiving a passport for the first time in over 20 years, Lester Young decided to take his first international trip outside of America and travel to Ghana. 

What started as a journey to learning about his history and culture eventually became a larger mission to bring awareness to the challenges African Americans face when it comes to incarceration, past trauma, and rehabilitation. 

This week, Lester Young, renowned author, and Re-Entry Expert Coach, is back to talk about his experience in his motherland, what he learned, and how he plans to use this information to support others through his organization, Path2Redemption.

Lester discusses:

  • How getting a passport transformed his life and why he chose Ghana as his first trip 
  • What he learned about his ancestors before they were enslaved
  • How he experienced Ghanaian culture and some of its daily traditions 
  • The powerful connection he made with his ancestral history and family lineage
  • And a lot more!

Resources:

Connect with Lester Young:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

Lester Young Jr. is a native of Hilton Head Island, SC. At the age of 19, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole until 20 years had been served. Entering prison without the proper education was Lester’s biggest struggle. With the support of family and friends, he was able to obtain his G.E.D. and then later enroll in a Business Management Course (via mail) as a student at Ashworth College. 

Lester began drawing attention from prison chaplains, correctional officers, as well as wardens for the interest he expressed in NOT only educating himself but encouraging others to educate themselves as well. 

With permission for the warden, Lester began meeting with Chaplain Gerald Potoka to create templates, course outlines, programs, and classes to instruct and mentor those incarcerated along with him. This is where the idea of “Path2Redemption” was born.