The Trump administration has responded angrily to Selena Gomez’s emotional response to mass deportations amid escalating tensions over US immigration laws.
The White House posted a video on social media featuring mothers of crime victims, who accuse Gomez of showing more empathy for immigrants than for those harmed by undocumented individuals.
The moms lashed out against Gomez, claiming that her emotional reaction was an attempt to “garner sympathy for lawlessness.” The video focused on three cases of women, Kayla Hamilton, Jocelyn Nungaray, and Rachel Morin, who were reportedly murdered by undocumented immigrants in US.
Earlier, Selena Gomez, a third-generation Mexican American, posted a tearful video on social media condemning Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s actions and expressing distress over how immigrants are being treated, claiming that her community is “getting attacked.”
“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 said on Instagram.
Later, she deleted the video.
After the response from the White House, model Chrissy Teigen defended Selena Gomez.
Gomez is Mexican-American and her paternal grandparents were reportedly undocumented immigrants.
Right-wing political host Tomi Lahren also criticised Gomez.
Since Trump took office, ICE has greatly stepped up its efforts to deport undocumented people living in the States. According to reports, Trump officials told ICE to aim for 1,200 to 1,500 arrests each day.
