Actress and singer Selena Gomez sparked a heated debate on social media when she shared an emotional video expressing her concerns over the arrests of undocumented immigrants, including those with family ties to the US.
Gomez posted a tearful message on Instagram, stating that “all my people are getting attacked” and claiming she didn’t understand why she couldn’t show empathy for those being targeted by President Trump’s crackdown. The post was quickly criticized by various Trump allies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acting director Thomas D. Homan and conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Homan suggested that Gomez’s tears were misplaced when it came to addressing the issue of illegal immigrants entering the US, while Kirk questioned why she would identify with undocumented immigrants rather than her fellow Americans. The most extreme reactions came from Samuel Parker, a Republican who called for Gomez to be deported despite being born in Texas and having grandparents who became naturalized US citizens.
However, not all critics were as harsh in their response. CNN commentator Ashley Allison noted that the issue was emotionally charged and urged against demeaning Gomez’s reaction. Prominent people such as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Geraldo Rivera, and rapper Flavor Flav publicly supported Gomez’s stance.
Gomez responded to criticism by mocking Samuel Parker’s comments on X. The backlash highlights the divisiveness of immigration politics in the US, with some calling for stricter enforcement while others advocate for compassion and empathy towards undocumented immigrants.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/style/selena-gomez-instagram-undocumented-workers-mexico.html