About the Reagan amnesty for certain immigrants (1986)

In 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), also known as the Simpson-Mazzoli Act, which granted legal status to approximately 2.7 to 3 million undocumented immigrants. 

Who Was Eligible?

The "amnesty" primarily applied to two specific groups: 

• Long-term Residents (LAWs): Undocumented immigrants who could prove they had resided in the U.S. continuously since January 1, 1982.
• Special Agricultural Workers (SAWs): Immigrants who had performed at least 90 days of seasonal agricultural work in the year leading up to May 1986. 

Requirements for Applicants

To qualify, individuals had to meet several strict criteria:

• Documentation: Provide proof of continuous residency, employment history, and financial stability.
• Good Moral Character: Pass a criminal background check and prove they had not been convicted of any felony or three or more misdemeanors.
• Civic Knowledge: Demonstrate a minimal knowledge of U.S. history, government, and the English language.
• Fees: Pay a processing fee (roughly $185) and, in some cases, back taxes. 

Key Provisions of the Act

The law was a bipartisan compromise that combined legalization with enforcement measures: 

• Employer Sanctions: For the first time, it became illegal for employers to knowingly hire undocumented workers, mandated by the introduction of the I-9 form.
• Border Security: The act authorized increased funding and resources for the U.S. Border Patrol.
• Path to Citizenship: Successful applicants were granted temporary legal status, which could be converted to permanent residency (a green card) after 18 months, eventually leading to citizenship eligibility. 

Reagan's 1987 Executive Action

Because the 1986 law did not address the status of spouses and children who didn't qualify on their own, Reagan used his executive authority in 1987 to grant a deferral of deportation for minor children (under 18) living with a parent who had been granted amnesty. This action affected approximately 100,000 families. 

         A Facebook inquiry by CSPAN inspired this post.

Children in poor countries are often trained to perform acrobatics or dance colorfully to make content for viral videos

Children in poor countries are often trained to perform acrobatics or dance colorfully to make content for viral videos.

                   https://x.com/i/status/2022638024472006912

This phenomenon is a complex intersection of the digital creator economy, global poverty, and child welfare. While these videos often appear joyful or impressive on a social media feed, the "behind-the-scenes" reality raises significant ethical questions.

The Business Model of "Viral Content"

In many cases, these performances are organized by third-party agencies or "content farms." These groups scout talented children in rural or impoverished areas, provide them with choreography and music, and manage the social media accounts.

• Revenue Streams: Income is generated through ad revenue (YouTube/TikTok), direct fan donations, and "digital gifts" during livestreams.
• The Power Imbalance: A massive disparity often exists between the millions of dollars these channels can generate and the actual living conditions of the children and their families.

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Key Ethical Concerns

While some argue this provides a path out of poverty, critics and human rights advocates point to several risks:

• Education vs. Labor: Many of these children spend 8–10 hours a day practicing and filming, often at the expense of formal schooling.
• Physical Strain: Performing high-intensity acrobatics or repetitive dances for hours can lead to long-term physical injuries, especially without professional athletic oversight.
• Exploitation: There is rarely transparency regarding how much of the profit reaches the children. In some documented cases, children are coerced or treated as "props" rather than performers.
• Lack of Consent: Children may not understand the permanence of their digital footprint or how their image is being used to generate wealth for others.

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The Global Response

Social media platforms have been criticized for their slow response to "poverty porn" or content that potentially violates child labor laws. However, some changes are occurring:

1. Platform Regulation: TikTok and YouTube have tightened rules around "Minor Safety," sometimes demonetizing or banning accounts where children are the sole source of profit without a clear guardian presence.
2. Public Awareness: Viewers are becoming more skeptical. There is a growing movement to "investigate before you donate" to ensure funds aren't just lining the pockets of a production company.
3. Local Legislation: Countries like China and parts of Southeast Asia have begun cracking down on "Livestreaming Farms" that involve minors.

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How to Engage Ethically

If you enjoy the talent but want to ensure the creators are protected, look for:

• Verified Organizations: Support content from registered NGOs that use performance arts as a form of therapy or education (e.g., circus schools that provide housing and schooling).
• Transparency: Look for accounts that openly discuss their financial structure and show children in school environments, not just performing.

Gaza Notes

Since October 7, 2023, the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has surpassed 1,050. 

According to recent data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA):

• Total Fatalities: At least 1,054 Palestinians have been killed between October 7, 2023, and early February 2026.
• Child Casualties: This figure includes at least 230 children.
• Settler Violence: A significant portion of these deaths—approximately 33 in late 2025 alone—involved Israeli settlers, sometimes acting alongside military forces.
• Detention Deaths: At least 28 of the total fatalities from the West Bank occurred while individuals were in Israeli detention. 

The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has expressed "serious concerns" over the spike in violence, noting that the lethality of recent military operations in the northern West Bank (such as in Jenin and Tulkarm) has reached levels not seen since the Second Intifada. 

Since the October 7, 2023 attacks, the United States has continued to supply Israel with thousands of heavy munitions, including 2,000-pound MK-84 bombs, BLU-109 bunker-buster bombs, and GBU-39 small diameter bombs, despite documented concerns regarding their impact on civilian populations. Reports indicate that over 15,000 of these bombs have been transferred to Israel. 

Impact and Capabilities of the Weapons

• MK-84 (2,000-pound bomb): These are large "dumb" bombs often equipped with Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kits, designed to create large blast radii and destroy high-rise buildings.
• BLU-109 (Bunker Buster): Designed to penetrate hardened concrete structures before detonating, these bombs have been used in densely populated areas, leading to significant destruction.
• GBU-39 (Small Diameter Bomb): While more precise, these have also been used in attacks that resulted in high civilian casualties, such as the strike on the al-Tabin school.
• Human Impact: Investigations have indicated that these weapons, particularly when used in crowded, enclosed spaces, have caused "vaporization" of bodies and severe thermal injuries, leaving only small fragments of remains. The use of these 2,000-pound bombs in residential areas has been linked to the destruction of entire families. 

US Knowledge and Policy

• Administration Awareness: The Biden administration acknowledged the potential for "significant civilian devastation" caused by these weapons in densely populated areas, leading to a temporary pause of a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs in May 2024, particularly concerning a potential Rafah offensive.
• Continued Shipments: Despite these concerns, thousands of these bombs were delivered in the months following Oct 7.
• Resumption of Shipments: In early 2025, the Trump administration moved to lift the pause on these heavy bombs, allowing for the delivery of 1,800 MK-84 bombs to Israel.
• Reports of Misuse: A New York Times investigation found that US-supplied 2,000-pound bombs were used in some of the deadliest strikes in Gaza, and reports indicate they have been used in areas previously designated as safe zones. 

While some in the U.S. government argued for, and temporarily implemented, restrictions, the overarching policy has been to continue providing these weapons to Israel.