Dubai: Hollywood actress and pop idol Selena Gomez recently found herself at the center of an intense debate after an emotional video addressing US’ immigration policy went viral.
The singer and actress, known for her activism, shared a tearful message on Instagram Stories following former US President Donald Trump’s announcement regarding the deportation of undocumented immigrants. While the video was later deleted, fan pages circulated it widely online.
In the video, Gomez, dressed in a black outfit and appearing to be at home, expressed her distress over the policy.
Fighting back tears, she 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.” She also added the text “I’m sorry” and a Mexican flag to her message.
Though many fans supported her heartfelt plea, others criticised her response. Critics argued that the policy targeted individuals who entered the country illegally, not specific ethnic groups, and some questioned her identification with immigrants, noting that she is an American citizen. Comments ranged from supportive to dismissive, with one stating, “Her people are American citizens,” while another described her reaction as “performative.”
After the backlash, Gomez responded with another Instagram Story, writing, “Apparently it’s not OK to show empathy for people,” but this message, like her initial post, was also removed.
This isn’t the first time Gomez has spoken out on immigration issues. In 2019, she produced Living Undocumented, a Netflix documentary highlighting the challenges faced by undocumented families in the United States.
Her advocacy has made her a prominent voice on the subject, but it has also drawn sharp criticism from figures like former border czar Tom Homan.
Responding to Gomez’s video in a televised interview, Homan dismissed the notion that families were being unjustly targeted. He stated that law enforcement was focused on public safety and national security threats, not ordinary families.
While Gomez’s emotional plea sparked significant conversation online, it also highlighted the polarising nature of immigration policy in the United States, drawing both praise and criticism for her stance.
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