Selena Gomez breaks down in emotional Instagram video addressing Donald Trump’s immigration policies: ‘I’m deeply affected’
As President Donald Trump implements his promised campaign agenda of large-scale deportation of undocumented residents in the United States, Selena Gomez shared a heartfelt response with her social media followers, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding U.S. immigration laws and border security.
In an emotional Instagram video briefly shared on her Instagram Story this Monday before being removed, the acclaimed Golden Globe nominee was seen with tears streaming down her face as she expressed, “I’m so deeply affected” and voiced her distress over how “Our community is being targeted.” The Instagram story views for this tear-filled message quickly soared before its removal.
“The innocent children — it’s incomprehensible,” the 32-year-old star expressed, according to footage circulating on social media platforms, including @PopBase. “My heart aches, I wish there was more I could do for these kids. I feel helpless but I promise to keep fighting.” She accompanied the video with text saying “My heart breaks” alongside a Mexican flag emoji, emphasizing her role as an immigration advocate.
Photo credit: Toglenn, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Trump’s Immigration Crackdown: A New Era of Enforcement
During his initial week back in office, Trump announced a national border crisis, dispatched 1,500 military personnel to the border, including combat units, and authorized thousands of additional federal officers to conduct immigrant arrests, among other initiatives. These actions are part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation plans, which have raised concerns about the treatment of illegal immigrants and their immigration status.
The emergency declaration was issued despite illegal border crossings being at their lowest point in over five years. In early 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection documented approximately 1,000 daily migrant encounters along the southern border – a 75% reduction compared to the previous year.
Historical Context: Deportation Numbers Under Different Administrations
Although Trump pledged to decrease illegal immigration during his first presidential term, his administration’s deportation numbers never surpassed those of President Barack Obama. The Department of Homeland Security documented roughly 2 million deportations under Trump’s first term, compared to 2.1 million during Obama’s second term.
During President Biden’s tenure, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement prioritized the arrest of individuals deemed threats to public safety and national security, shifting the focus of ICE arrests.
Recent Legislative Changes and Their Impact
Recently, Trump and Congress enacted the Laken Riley Act, shifting immigration enforcement focus to target more undocumented individuals, including those without major criminal offenses, requiring detention for individuals accused, charged with, or convicted of minor infractions. Trump additionally classified criminal cartels as “global terrorist groups,” enabling military intervention in border security matters.
Selena Gomez on undocumented immigrants: ‘An issue I think about every day’
Gomez, who proudly claims her third-generation Mexican American heritage through her father’s lineage, has consistently voiced her concern about immigration, describing it as “an issue I think about every day.” This aspect of her Selena Gomez biography and her Selena Gomez nationality play a significant role in her celebrity activism.
Family History and Personal Reflections
“My family’s immigration history to America began in the 1970s when my aunt made the courageous decision to cross the Mexican border, concealed in a truck’s cargo area. Shortly after, my grandparents followed the same path, and my father was born on Texas soil. By 1992, I entered the world as a U.S. citizen, a privilege made possible through their courage and sacrifices,” she shared in her poignant 2019 Time magazine piece. “Throughout the past forty years, my relatives have dedicated themselves to earning their United States citizenship.”
Advocacy and Concerns
“Immigration without documentation is something that occupies my thoughts daily, and I remain eternally grateful for the fortune of being born in this nation due to my family’s determination and life’s circumstances,” she expressed. “However, when I encounter immigration debates on social media or read news headlines, I experience deep concern for those facing similar situations. I worry about the future of our nation and the impact of current border crossing policies.”
‘Emilia Pérez’ controversy: Representation in Media
Reflecting on her role as executive producer for Netflix’s 2019 documentary series “Living Undocumented,” Gomez expressed, “The treatment of people in my country deeply troubles me. Being a Mexican-American woman, I feel an inherent obligation to utilize my platform to advocate for those who fear speaking up. I sincerely hope that by introducing these eight families and sharing their experiences, we can foster greater empathy, encourage people to learn more about immigration, and help them develop informed perspectives on the immigration system.”
Though Gomez, a Grand Prairie, Texas native, has embraced her heritage by incorporating Spanish into her musical works and most recently in her performance in the Oscar-nominated “Emilia Pérez,” she faced criticism. Notable figures, including Eugenio Derbez – who later retracted his “thoughtless” remarks – questioned her Spanish language proficiency and the acclaimed film’s portrayal of Mexican drug trafficking.
Source:
Kimi Robinson (January 27, 2025). Selena Gomez cries in video reacting to Donald Trump’s immigration orders: ‘I’m so sorry’. https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/01/27/selena-gomez-cries-trump-immigration-deportation/77978030007/. Accessed January 27, 2025
Header Photo: Selena Gomez at the White House in 2022
Photo credit: The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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