What's the secret to observing people in a way that makes your fiction writing more authentic and engaging?

Will the French government ask for the resignation of Jack Lang as head of the Arab World Institute in Paris if he is indicted on charges related to Jeffrey Epstein?
What if I just moved to America legally but have not gotten the green card yet because I need to wait a year for it? Will I get arrested by ICE?
Religion, government, science, and education are not reliable ethical guides. Can you think of a better sure source of ethics than that described in my answer below?