Takeaways:
- Selena Gomez criticized ICE raids in a now-deleted emotional video.
- Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, told critics to direct complaints to Congress.
- Former Senate candidate Sam Parker called for Gomez’s deportation.
- Gomez has long advocated for migrant rights, producing Living Undocumented on Netflix.
Selena Gomez has found herself at the center of a political firestorm after posting, then deleting, an emotional video criticizing recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. The Only Murders in the Building star became a focal point in the national immigration debate, drawing both support and criticism.
Selena Gomez’s Emotional Response to ICE Raids
On January 28, Gomez took to Instagram to express her distress over mass arrests of undocumented immigrants. The raids, which took place in major cities like Chicago, Newark, and Dallas, resulted in over 2,000 arrests—triple the daily average under the previous administration.
“All my people are getting attacked … the children,” Gomez, who has Mexican and Italian heritage, tearfully told her 422 million followers. “I don’t understand. I’m so sorry. I wish I could do something.”
Gomez, 32, has long advocated for immigrant rights. In 2019, she executive-produced Living Undocumented, a Netflix docuseries highlighting the struggles of undocumented families. She previously wrote in Time magazine that the series reflected “the shame, uncertainty, and fear I saw my own family struggle with.”
Border Czar’s Strong Response
Tom Homan, reinstated as Trump’s border czar, was quick to push back against Gomez’s criticism. Appearing on Fox News, Homan defended ICE operations and dismissed claims that families were being targeted.
“I don’t think we arrested any families,” Homan stated. “We’ve arrested public safety threats and national security threats. Bottom line: We’re going to enforce the laws of this country. If they don’t like it, then go to Congress and change the law.”
Homan also referenced concerns over child trafficking, stating, “We have half a million children who were sex trafficked into this country. Where are the tears for them?”
GOP Candidate Calls for Selena Gomez’s Deportation
Former Republican Senate candidate Sam Parker escalated the controversy by suggesting that Gomez herself should be deported.
“Selena Gomez picked illegals over America because she’s the third-generation descendant of Mexican illegals,” Parker wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Maybe Selena should be deported, too?”
Gomez responded on Instagram Stories with sarcasm: “Oh Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker. Thanks for the laugh and the threat.”
Parker later celebrated the exchange, posting a screenshot of Gomez’s response with the caption, “Selena Gomez has responded to me.”
Final Thoughts
Despite facing backlash, Gomez remains a vocal advocate for immigrant rights. Her past activism and public statements continue to bring attention to the challenges faced by undocumented communities. The debate over U.S. immigration policy rages on, with both sides using Gomez’s remarks as fuel for their arguments.
