Selena Gomez recently uploaded a tearful video to her Instagram, which she posted along with a caption stating her distress regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdowns on illegal migrants in the United States. “All my people are getting attacked, the children. I don’t get it,” she said before becoming emotional.
“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” she said live on Instagram.
Selena Gomez just posted a video crying about deportations, but deleted it after outrage from fans…. pic.twitter.com/xRTO8x4ND5
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 27, 2025
Her emotional statement received much attention but at the same time, was subjected to criticism wherein some people declared her “out of touch”. In response, Gomez deleted the video and told the criticism by posting on her Instagram story, “Apparently it’s not ok to show empathy for people.”
Response from Trump’s Administration
On Monday night, Former Trump administration’s border czar Tom Homan addressed Gomez’s comments during an appearance on Fox News. Homan dismissed claims made by Gomez about attacks on children which she talked about. He defended ICE’s action and said, “Immigration Customs and Enforcement is only going after illegal migrants with prior criminal history. If they don’t like it, then go to Congress and change the law”.
Homan emphasized the administration’s commitment to public safety, saying, “We’re gonna make our community safer. It is all for the good of this nation. And we’re gonna keep going. No apologies. We’re moving forward.” He also clarified that no families had been arrested during the recent raids.
Lana Del Rey, known for her support of MAGA, commented on Selena Gomez’s viral video, stating, “You should pack your bags and go back to Mexico. Take your abuela with you.”
ICE Raids and Legal Challenges
During the weekend, ICE said it had made 286 arrests on Saturday and 956 on Sunday. Homan confirmed that the agency will maintain daily operations and possibly deport millions of people. These raids have raised legal challenges, as organizations such as the Quakers filed lawsuits questioning whether such enforcement actions, especially in places of worship, violate the Constitution. Critics said the swift operations contravene rights and disrupt communities.
Selena Gomez’s Advocacy for Immigrant Rights
Selena Gomez has long been an advocate for immigrant rights. In 2019, she produced the show Living Undocumented, which highlighted the struggles of immigrant families fearing ICE deportations. That same year, she penned an op-ed for Time, detailing her aunt’s journey across the US-Mexico border in the 1990s.
“I’m concerned about the way people are being treated in my country. As a Mexican-American woman, I feel responsible to use my platform to be a voice for people who are too afraid to speak,” she wrote. “Fear shouldn’t stop us from getting involved and educating ourselves on an issue that affects millions of people in our country. Fear didn’t stop my aunt from getting into the back of that truck. And for that, I will always be grateful.”
