Trump Administration Responds to Selena Gomez's Tearful Deportation Video
The White House released a video responding to Selena Gomez's emotional Instagram post about deportations. This occurred on January 31, following her outcry regarding undocumented immigrants.
In the White House video, three women, who have lost children to violence reportedly linked to undocumented individuals, criticize Gomez. Titled "Moms of Victims of Illegal Aliens SLAM Selena Gomez: You Didn’t Cry for Our Daughters," the video pairs their comments with snippets of her crying. The implications are stark and intended to draw a strong emotional response.
The caption highly regarded the women as "courageous mothers." Alexis Nungaray denounced Gomez's authenticity, suggesting her emotional display lacks genuine credibility. "Seeing that video, it’s hard to believe that it’s actually genuine because she’s an actress," she stated. Another woman, Tammy Nobles, expressed her relief at Trump's election, although she did not specify a new bill related to immigration. Patty Morin characterized Gomez’s actions as a deceptive ploy intending to gain sympathy for lawbreaking.
Each of these women suffered profound losses: Nungaray’s daughter Jocelyn, aged 12, was killed in Houston; Nobles’ daughter Kayla was 20 when murdered in Maryland; and Morin lost her 37-year-old daughter Rachel in 2023.
Trump, who was inaugurated on January 20, has heavily targeted undocumented immigrants. Recent actions include the signing of the Laken Riley Act, increasing penalties for undocumented immigrants convicted of crimes. Trump also mandated the preparation of a detention center in Guantanamo Bay for potentially 30,000 migrants.
A September 2024 study by the National Institute of Justice revealed that undocumented immigrants were arrested for violent crimes at a rate less than half of that for native-born U.S. citizens. Additionally, they were arrested for property crimes at one-quarter the rate of citizens.
On January 27, Selena Gomez shared an emotional video via Instagram Stories. In tears and with a Mexican flag emoji, she expressed her distress over the treatment of immigrant children. The video was removed but quickly spread on social media.
"All my people are getting attacked, the children," she expressed through her tears. "I’m sorry. I wish I could do something, but I can’t. I don’t know what to do. I’ll try everything, I promise."
Republican figures swiftly criticized Gomez. Utah's 2018 Republican Senate candidate Sam Parker reacted harshly, suggesting "Deport Selena Gomez" on his social media before her video circulated.
Selena Gomez responded with humor, addressing Parker's comment: "Oh, Mr. Parker, thanks for the laugh and the threat."
Tom Homan, formerly of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commented on the situation. He told Fox News that deportations would persist "without apology," reiterating the administration's stance.
Gomez's representatives did not provide immediate comments to media outlets.
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