Selena Gomez recently went viral after sharing an emotional Instagram Story about the deportation policies under Donald Trump. In the video, she tearfully expressed her concern, saying, “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 sparked major reactions from people across the political spectrum, particularly given the impact of Trump’s immigration policies, which have seen over 950 arrests by ICE.
The reaction to Selena’s emotional plea was swift, with some critics mocking her outpouring of emotion. Sam Parker, a former Senate candidate from Utah, tweeted, “Deport Selena Gomez.”
This comment quickly drew attention and criticism for its tone. Selena, not backing down, responded on Instagram, humorously saying, “Oh Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker. Thanks for the laugh and the threat.” Her response highlighted the absurdity of the situation, as many saw the comment as a form of political trolling.
Fox News host Martha MacCallum also mocked Selena’s emotional display, dismissing it as an attempt to win an award, calling it “going for another Academy Award.” Her comment pointed to the increasing political divide around issues of immigration, with many seeing Selena’s plea for empathy as a noble expression of concern, while others viewed it as out of touch.
On TikTok, conservatives also criticized Selena, questioning how the deportation crisis personally affected her. One user sarcastically commented, “How does that affect you? Is she being paid?” The sentiment behind this was that, because Selena is wealthy and famous, her emotional response seemed detached from the reality faced by the average person.
This criticism prompted a response from Kim, a TikTok user, who took to the platform to defend Selena. In her video, which has since gained over 3 million views, Kim challenged the argument that only wealthy people could be “out of touch.” She said, “I know this is a foreign concept for you as a conservative, grifting rage baiter, but for most normal people, we don’t need to get paid to care about something.”
Kim also addressed the critic’s apparent confusion about Selena’s emotional connection to the issue. She reminded them that Selena is Hispanic and that deportations would naturally affect her and her community. Kim elaborated, saying, “Why does it surprise you that deportations might emotionally impact her?” The response was a direct rebuttal to those who felt that Selena’s reaction was inappropriate or exaggerated.
Kim went on to point out the significant contributions of undocumented immigrants, especially in places like Los Angeles, where they make up a large part of the workforce in essential industries. “Speaking of things that affect people, let’s talk about LA,” Kim said. She reminded her viewers that undocumented workers are integral to the agriculture, construction, and hospitality industries, keeping cities like LA running. “You’re benefiting from their labor every single time you eat fresh produce, go to a restaurant, or drive on roads maintained by construction workers,” she emphasized.
The argument Kim presented challenged the idea that caring about issues like immigration only matters if they affect you personally. She concluded by saying, “Caring about issues that don’t personally impact you are just things that decent human beings do.” This perspective was a stark contrast to those who criticized Selena for speaking out on behalf of a marginalized group. You can watch the full video here.
Support for Selena’s emotional response grew, with many acknowledging her sincerity and compassion. Former Fox News host Geraldo Rivera tweeted, “Selena Gomez should be commended for her compassion and sincerity… We need comprehensive immigration reform. We can’t just arrest our way out of our immigration crisis.” This comment resonated with those who believed that the focus should shift toward legislative solutions rather than punitive measures.
Despite the support, there continued to be backlash from critics who questioned Selena’s motives. Some continued to demand that she be “deported” for expressing her opinions, reflecting the deep divisions in American politics over immigration. These critics failed to see Selena’s response as an expression of empathy, further highlighting the polarization of the issue.
As the debate continued, Selena’s supporters rallied behind her, calling out the hypocrisy of those who claimed to support free speech while simultaneously attacking someone for using their platform to express concern for a vulnerable community. “These are actual TEARS for her people!” one person wrote. “She’s showing empathy, and if you can’t show that, YOU ARE THE PROBLEM.”
While the online discourse surrounding Selena’s emotional response raged on, there was no denying the powerful impact of her message. Her call for empathy and understanding resonated with many who felt that the current approach to immigration needed to be reassessed. In contrast, those who sought to silence her or mock her for her stance only further illustrated the challenges facing the national conversation on immigration.
Meanwhile, Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, responded to the criticism in an interview with Fox News, saying, “If they don’t like it, then go to Congress and change the law. We’re going to do this operation without apology.” His response underscored the administration’s hardline stance on immigration, while further fueling the debate over how the U.S. should address its immigration issues moving forward.
Ultimately, Selena Gomez’s emotional plea highlighted the deep personal connections many people have to immigration issues. Whether through her own family history or her public advocacy, her call for change reflected the broader need for empathy and comprehensive reform in how the U.S. handles immigration.
