politics

Selena Gomez breaks down in tears over Donald Trump's deportations

In a since-deleted message, Selena Gomez, who's spoken openly about her Mexican heritage, tearfully addressed deportations in the United States: “I wish I could do something but I can’t.”

Selena Gomez attends 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival "Emilia Pérez" Talking Pictures Presented By Kering "Women In Motion" at Annenberg Theater
Presley Ann / Getty Images for Palm Springs International Film Society

Selena Gomez attends 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival “Emilia Pérez” Talking Pictures Presented By Kering “Women In Motion” at Annenberg Theater on January 04, 2025 in Palm Springs, California.

Originally appeared on E! Online

Selena Gomez is speaking out as President Donald Trump's administration continues to put a focus on immigration.

Following Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration, he signed a number of executive orders that laid the groundwork for mass deportations across the country. In response, the "Emilia Pérez" actress — who has proudly put a spotlight on her Mexican heritage over the years — broke down in tears in an Instagram Story video Jan. 27 as she told her followers, "I'm so sorry."

“All my people are getting attacked," she cried. "The children, they 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," Gomez concluded, "I promise."

The 32-year-old captioned the video, which has since been deleted, "I'm sorry," along with a Mexican flag emoji.

In a follow up Instagram story, Gomez, a third-generation American-Mexican, seemingly addressed criticism of her video, writing, "Apparently it's not ok to show empathy for people."

READ Selena Gomez Is Proudly Putting a Spotlight on Her Mexican Heritage — On and Off Screen

Gomez has used her platform to shine a light on her heritage, even releasing Spanish-language album "Revelación" in 2021. That same year, Gomez reflected on her family history in YouTube Music's Artist Spotlight Stories.

"I wanted to share my story because I'm very proud of who I am," she said in the video. "As a Mexican woman, I've learned so much and I continue to learn so much."

In 2019, prior to the 2020 presidential election between Trump and Joe Biden, Gomez penned an essay for TIME on immigration.

"In the 1970s, my aunt crossed the border from Mexico to the United States hidden in the back of a truck," she began. "My grandparents followed, and my father was born in Texas soon after. In 1992, I was born a U.S. citizen thanks to their bravery and sacrifice."

"Over the past four decades, members of my family have worked hard to gain United States citizenship," Gomez, who took part in Netflix's 2019 "Living Undocumented" documentary, continued. "Undocumented immigration is an issue I think about every day, and I never forget how blessed I am to have been born in this country thanks to my family and the grace of circumstance. But when I read the news headlines or see debates about immigration rage on social media, I feel afraid for those in similar situations. I feel afraid for my country."

Copyright E! Online
Contact Us