Pop star and actress Selena Gomez took to Instagram Stories recently, sharing a heartfelt and emotional video about the impact of former President Donald Trump’s announcement regarding increased deportations of illegal immigrants. The video, which has since been deleted, captured the singer in a visibly distressed state, addressing the plight of immigrant communities, especially children.
In the now-viral clip, Gomez, wearing a black outfit and appearing from what seemed to be her home, tearfully said, “I just wanted to say that I’m so sorry. All my people are getting attacked. The children. I don’t understand. I’m so sorry, I wish I could do something but I can’t. I don’t know what to do. I’ll try everything, I promise.” The video was accompanied by a Mexican flag and the words “I’m sorry” displayed on the screen.
Despite its quick removal, the video was reshared by a fan account on X (formerly known as Twitter), leading to a flurry of reactions online. While many fans rallied in support of Gomez’s emotional plea, others were critical. One X user commented, “It’s not Trump’s immigration law against Mexicans and Latinos. It is U.S. law against people that enter the country illegally.” Another response was more pointed, stating, “Her people. She is an American…her ‘people’ are American citizens. If she wants to be Mexican…then go live amongst ‘your people.’”
Some detractors accused Gomez of selective empathy, with one writing, “Selectively picking which immigration tragedy upsets you is performative.”
In response to the controversy, Gomez posted another message on her Stories, which she also later deleted, saying, “Apparently it’s not ok to show empathy for people.”
This incident isn’t Gomez’s first foray into immigration advocacy. She previously produced the Netflix series “Living Undocumented” in 2019, which documented the lives of undocumented families in the U.S. during Trump’s presidency.
The debate surrounding Gomez’s video underscores the broader national conversation on immigration policies, highlighting the deep divisions and passionate opinions on the topic. Whether this will lead to further statements or actions from Gomez remains to be seen, but her influence in sparking dialogue is undeniable.
Key Points:
- Selena Gomez Emotional Video: Selena shared a tearful Instagram video expressing her distress over Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, particularly on deportations of illegal immigrants.
- Message of Empathy: In the video, she apologized for the suffering of immigrant communities, particularly children, and expressed helplessness in the face of the situation, promising to try and do more.
- Backlash and Support: While some fans supported her emotional outburst, others criticized her, questioning her perspective on U.S. immigration law and her connection to the issue.
- Selena’s Response: After facing criticism, Selena posted a follow-up message, writing, “Apparently it’s not ok to show empathy for people,” before deleting the post.
- Past Advocacy: Selena has a history of advocating for immigrant rights, having produced the 2019 Netflix documentary Living Undocumented, which focused on the struggles of undocumented families in the U.S. during the Trump administration.
