Selena Gomez Responds to Immigration Criticism Amid Crackdown in the U.S.
Selena Gomez recently addressed a controversial comment from Sam Parker, a 2018 Republican Senate candidate from Utah, who called for her deportation. Parker’s remarks came in response to an emotional video Gomez shared on her Instagram Stories, reacting to the recent escalation of immigration enforcement in the U.S. under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
The 32-year-old singer and actress, known for her role in Emilia Pérez, posted a statement to her Instagram Stories directed at Parker. Over a black background, she wrote, “Oh, Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker. Thanks for the laugh and the threat.”
In the original video, which has since been deleted, Gomez expressed deep concern over the ongoing deportations. Accompanied by text reading “I’m sorry” and a Mexican flag emoji, she said, “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.”
Following up with another post, Gomez added, "Apparently it's not ok to show empathy for people," suggesting she faced criticism for speaking out.
Gomez’s response comes in the wake of a significant immigration crackdown. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported 956 arrests on Sunday, 286 on Saturday, and 593 on Friday. According to BBC reporting, these events mark the highest number of arrests in a single weekend since Trump took office in January 2017.
The broader immigration issue remains contentious in the U.S. The Migration Policy Institute notes that former President Joe Biden oversaw 1.5 million deportations during his first four years in office, mirroring the deportation figures of Trump’s first term.
Gomez has long been an advocate for immigration reform, drawing from her family’s personal experiences. She previously produced the Netflix docuseries Living Undocumented, highlighting the challenges undocumented families face in America. Her recent posts reaffirm her commitment to supporting immigrant communities and raising awareness of their struggles..