One such celebrity is singer Selena Gomez, who shared her apprehensions through a video where she tearfully reacted to one of the president’s executive orders.
In his policy, Trump vowed to take actions aimed at reducing and eliminating the presence of illegal immigrants in the US.
Upon taking office, he signed an executive order that could potentially lead to the deportation of millions, a prospect that deeply worries Gomez.
With tears in her eyes and her hands over her head, Gomez expressed: “I’m so sorry. All my people are getting attacked. The children, I don’t understand. I wish I could do something.”
She later removed the video, commenting: “Apparently it’s not okay to show empathy for people.”
This follows former US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director Tom Homan’s appointment as ‘border czar’ for Trump’s administration. Homan has supported Trump’s strict approach to illegal immigration.
Homan has recently highlighted the deployment of military forces to support operations at the Mexican border, stating that Trump is ‘sending a strong signal to the world, our borders closed.’
He explained: “If you’re in the country illegally, you’re on the table, because it’s not OK to, you know, violate the laws of this country. You got to remember, every time you enter this country illegally, you violated a crime under Title Eight, the United States Code 1325, it’s a crime.”
Despite facing criticism on social media, prompting her to delete the video, many of Gomez’s fans have defended her, noting her long-standing interest in migration issues.
One user pointed out: “In 2019, Selena Gomez produced a Netflix documentary titled ‘Living Undocumented’ chronicling the lives of undocumented families in the United States.”
“She also speaks on her grandparents being Mexican immigrants. This isn’t the first time she’s spoken on this matter.”
Another remarked: “Selena’s tears speak volumes. Her empathy for the children and families affected is heartbreaking yet inspiring,” while a third added: “It’s really tough to see what’s happening. Your heart is in the right place, and just speaking out makes a difference.”
Someone else said: “Thank you, Selena. Empathy really does matter. I’m realizing now that she can’t win no matter what she does.”