Selena Gomez cries over immigration crackdown, deletes emotional video amidst trolling: "It's not OK to show empathy'

Selena Gomez has found herself at the centre of controversy after posting—and later deleting—a video in which she expressed her distress over the recent immigration policies under President Donald Trump’s administration.

On January 26, the 32-year-old singer and actress, who is currently in the spotlight for her Oscar-nominated film Emilia Perez, shared a tearful video on her Instagram Story. In the video, a visibly upset Gomez said, "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."



The video included a caption with a Mexican flag emoji and the words "I’m sorry," highlighting her empathy for those affected by the crackdown.

While many fans praised Gomez for her vulnerability and empathy, others were critical, accusing her of using the emotional moment for attention. The video sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some calling it "dramatic" and a "publicity stunt."

In response to the backlash, Gomez deleted the video and shared a brief message in a follow-up Instagram Story, which was also removed. She wrote, "Apparently it’s not ok to show empathy for people."

The timing of her post coincided with an announcement from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about a large-scale operation that led to 956 arrests, marking the highest number since Trump returned to office. These actions have sparked debates across the country about immigration policy.

This isn’t the first time Gomez has spoken out against Trump’s policies. During the Los Angeles premiere of Emilia Perez in October, she told Variety, "I definitely want to stand by my people."

Inputs from agencies