Selena Gomez has hit back at a Republican politician who called for her deportation after the singer and actress shared an emotional response to President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. Gomez, 32, took to Instagram to address the criticism from Sam Parker, a 2018 Republican Senate candidate from Utah, who posted on X, "Deport Selena Gomez," following the release of her tearful video reacting to the ongoing deportation efforts in the United States.
In her Instagram Stories, Gomez responded sarcastically, writing, "Oh, Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker. Thanks for the laugh and the threat." This was her public reply to the social media post, in which Parker had criticized her support for undocumented immigrants. The call for her deportation came after Gomez posted a video expressing her sorrow over the treatment of immigrant families, including children, in the U.S. under the Trump administration's policies.
In the now-deleted video, which was shared on her Instagram Stories, Gomez wiped away tears as she spoke about her distress over the situation. "All my people are getting attacked, the children," she said in the video. "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 added. The text overlay on the video read, "I'm sorry" along with an emoji of the Mexican flag, further emphasizing her emotional reaction to the immigration policies.
Gomez has long been outspoken on immigration issues, particularly because of her own family's history. Her paternal relatives migrated to the U.S. from Mexico, and in a 2019 op-ed for Time, she shared her family's experience, recounting how her aunt crossed the border hidden in a truck in the 1970s, and how her father was born in Texas shortly thereafter. "Undocumented immigration is an issue I think about every day," Gomez wrote in the op-ed, expressing gratitude for her family's journey while also voicing concern for those facing deportation.
In the wake of her emotional post, ICE reported a significant uptick in deportation activity, with over 1,100 arrests made on the previous Monday alone as part of Trump's broader efforts to increase deportations of undocumented immigrants. This marks a sharp escalation of the Trump administration's enforcement of immigration laws, which, while targeting those with criminal records, also includes those accused of lesser offenses.
Parker's call for Gomez's deportation was criticized, with many pointing out that she is a U.S. citizen and thus cannot be deported. Gomez, who was born in Grand Prairie, Texas, responded to Parker's comment with a mixture of humor and defiance, emphasizing the absurdity of the suggestion. Her family's immigration story is one that she frequently brings to light, highlighting both her connection to the issue and her commitment to advocacy.
This incident comes amid heightened tensions surrounding immigration in the U.S., especially as Trump's policies continue to divide the nation. Critics of the Trump administration's approach argue that it harms vulnerable communities, particularly children, and creates fear among immigrant families. Supporters, on the other hand, claim that the increased deportations are necessary to protect national security and ensure the rule of law.
Gomez's involvement in the 2019 Netflix series Living Undocumented, which follows the lives of undocumented families, has only intensified her advocacy. As an executive producer, she used her platform to highlight the struggles of undocumented immigrants, aiming to humanize the issue and encourage greater empathy from viewers. "I'm concerned about the way people are being treated in my country," she has said. "As a Mexican-American woman, I feel a responsibility to use my platform to be a voice for people who are too afraid to speak."
Despite the backlash, Gomez has maintained her stance on immigration, sharing her concerns about the treatment of undocumented individuals. "I feel afraid for those in similar situations. I feel afraid for my country," she has said, further emphasizing her commitment to speaking out against what she sees as unjust practices.
