On January 27, 2025, singer and actress Selena Gomez took to Instagram to express her deep distress over the Trump administration's recent immigration enforcement actions, which resulted in the deportation of over 4,000 individuals to Mexico.
In a tearful video, Gomez, who has Mexican heritage, conveyed her sorrow and helplessness regarding the situation. She stated, "Lo siento muchísimo," expressing her profound regret and empathy for the affected families and children.
The emotional video was initially shared on her Instagram Stories but was later deleted following a mix of supportive and critical responses. In a subsequent post featuring a black screen, Gomez addressed the backlash, noting, "Apparently it’s not acceptable to show empathy towards others."
This is not the first time Gomez has spoken out on immigration issues. In 2019, she executive produced the Netflix docuseries "Living Undocumented," which highlighted the challenges faced by undocumented families in the U.S. She also penned an op-ed for Time magazine, sharing her family's own immigration story and advocating for compassionate treatment of immigrants.
Gomez's recent expression of empathy underscores her ongoing commitment to raising awareness about the human impact of immigration policies.