Selena Gomez Faces Backlash, Defends Empathy for Undocumented Immigrants
The American singer and actress Selena Gomez found herself at the center of controversy after posting a video expressing her emotions over the deportation of undocumented immigrants by ICE agents in the US, and now she is making headlines for her response to a US Senate candidate's call for her deportation.
Gomez, who is a natural-born US citizen of Mexican and Italian descent, initially shared a video addressing the impact of President Donald Trump's immigration policies, which sparked backlash from conservatives, including US Senate candidate Sam Parker. Parker tweeted that Gomez should be deported for siding with undocumented immigrants, to which Gomez responded with humor, saying "Oh Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker. Thanks for the laugh, and the threat." Gomez has been an advocate for undocumented immigrants in the past, including with a 2019 documentary and essay, and has expressed empathy for their plight.
The controversy surrounding Gomez's video was further fueled by a comment from singer Lana Del Rey, a supporter of President Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan, who told Gomez to "pack her bags and go back to Mexico" after watching a deleted video of Gomez breaking down in tears over Trump's immigration crackdown. The comment was widely seen as insensitive and dismissive of Gomez's emotional response. Gomez had expressed frustration over the backlash, saying "Apparently, it's not OK to show empathy for people."
The incident highlights the ongoing debate over immigration policies in the US and the role of public figures in advocating for social justice causes. Gomez's response to the controversy has sparked a wider conversation about the importance of empathy and understanding in addressing complex social issues.
