On January 27th, 2025, pop star Selena Gomez shared an emotional video on Instagram in response to a large-scale U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation that resulted in the arrest of nearly 1,000 migrants in a single day.
The operation, which has drawn widespread attention, coincided with the return of former President Donald Trump to office, reigniting debates around immigration policies in the United States.
In the since-deleted video, Gomez, who has Mexican heritage, tearfully addressed her followers, saying, “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.” She captioned the video with a simple “I’m sorry” alongside an emoji of the Mexican flag.
The singer’s heartfelt response sparked mixed reactions online. While many fans praised her for speaking out and showing empathy, others criticized her stance, calling it overly emotional and accusing her of being out of touch. Some detractors even suggested she was free to leave the U.S. if unhappy with its policies.
In response to the backlash, Gomez removed the initial video and posted a black screen with a statement that read, “Apparently it’s not okay to show empathy for people.”
Gomez has long been vocal about immigration issues. In 2019, she executive produced the Netflix docuseries “Living Undocumented” and penned an op-ed advocating for compassionate treatment of migrants, drawing on her family’s personal connection to immigration.
The recent ICE operation reportedly resulted in the arrest of 956 individuals, raising concerns among immigrant communities and advocacy groups. Gomez’s reaction underscores the deep personal connection many feel to these issues and has once again spotlighted the polarizing debates surrounding immigration in the U.S.
As discussions continue, Gomez’s emotional post serves as a reminder of the human impact of such policies and the powerful role public figures play in amplifying marginalized voices.