On January 27, actress Selena Gomez took to Instagram in an emotional video that quickly garnered attention — but not for the right reasons. In the since-deleted post, Gomez, teary-eyed and visibly upset, condemned President Donald Trump’s firm stance on illegal immigration, specifically the actions taken by former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Tom Homan to carry out mass arrests and deportations.
Gomez, known for her role in Hollywood and not for her political expertise, expressed her outrage over the Trump administration’s tough immigration policies, including coordinated efforts by the U.S. Marshals, the DEA, and other federal agencies to target and deport illegal immigrants. “I just want to say that I’m so sorry!” she tearfully exclaimed, breaking down as if personally affected by the president’s enforcement of the rule of law.
Her emotional plea seemed to stem from a specific diplomatic incident: when the President of Colombia initially resisted accepting deportation flights from the U.S. Gomez was apparently troubled by the country’s hesitance to cooperate with U.S. immigration enforcement, which was eventually resolved through President Trump’s threat of 50% tariffs and visa cancellations. Similar pressure tactics were reportedly used to sway the Mexican government’s stance. However, Gomez’s tearful reaction painted a picture of someone who seemed more emotionally invested in the situation than politically informed.
The actress, who claimed to represent “my people,” made it clear that she was emotionally distraught over the matter, though it’s unclear exactly which group of people she was referring to. While she may have been referencing her Mexican heritage, the vast majority of those impacted by immigration policies are individuals who entered the country illegally, not American citizens like Gomez. Nevertheless, she seemed to position herself as a spokesperson for the immigrant community — despite having no political power or platform other than her celebrity status.
As the video continued, Gomez promised that she would “try everything” to address the issue, though, given her lack of a platform or political influence, it’s unclear exactly what she meant by that. “I don’t understand. I’m so sorry. I wish I could do something, but I can’t,” she lamented, before vowing to “try everything.” While her intentions may have been rooted in compassion, it’s difficult to overlook the fact that the policies she decried were designed to protect American citizens by enforcing the laws of the land.
Fox News’s Martha MacCallum wasted no time responding to the emotional outburst, criticizing Gomez’s dramatic display. “The actress Selena Gomez going for, I guess, another Academy Award or Golden Globe nomination here, sobbing on Instagram earlier today about what she says she’s seeing out there,” MacCallum remarked sarcastically. She also pointed to the growing backlash from governors in states like Massachusetts and Colorado, who were not as eager to accept illegal immigrants into their communities. “Governors are saying, ‘Well, you know, so far we’re okay with the people that you’ve kicked out of the country. Thank you very much,’” MacCallum added, reinforcing the conservative viewpoint that the U.S. government has a responsibility to protect its citizens and uphold its laws, even if it doesn’t align with Hollywood’s liberal agenda.
Gomez’s emotional breakdown may have been an attempt to tap into the growing sentiment of sympathy for immigrants, but it also serves as a reminder of the disconnect between Hollywood elites and the everyday Americans who are directly affected by these immigration policies. While celebrities like Gomez may champion a more lenient approach to immigration, they remain largely out of touch with the concerns of the American public, many of whom see the president’s tough stance as a necessary step toward securing the nation’s borders and protecting citizens.
