Selena Gomez – the pop star and actress from Texas, whose paternal grandparents hail from Mexico – dismissed a former Republican US Senate candidate’s demand for her deportation following her video expressing compassion for those impacted by Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
In reaction to a remark from the previous candidate suggesting she ought to be “deported” due to her video, Gomez took to social media to say in part: “Appreciate the laugh.”
Gomez, however, removed the video during a social media backlash mainly fueled by conservatives supporting deportation raids that Trump’s administration has been conducting early in his second term, which started on January 20.
The video in discussion featured the 32-year-old Gomez removing tears from her face while she stated: “I simply wanted to express that I’m really sorry. All my people are being assaulted, especially the children. I do not comprehend.
“I would like to take action, but I am unable to.” I will attempt all options. “I assure you.”
Gomez’s sorrow drew the interest of the Trump administration. In an interview with Fox News regarding the two-time Grammy award nominee’s video, Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, referenced the unsubstantiated talking point from the administration that the immigration raids exclusively targeted individuals with criminal backgrounds who entered the US unlawfully.
“If they disapprove, then take it to Congress and amend the law,” Homan stated regarding the raids that have resulted in reports of Indigenous Americans being detained and required to show proof of citizenship. “We will carry out this procedure unapologetically.”
Sam Parker, the ex-Republican US Senate candidate from Utah, shared social media posts accusing Gomez of possessing an “entitlement attitude” that warrants her deportation from the country where she has been a lifelong citizen.
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It has been broadly covered that Gomez’s grandparents, Mary and Ricardo Gomez, moved to the US from Monterrey, Nueva León, Mexico, during the 1970s. Gomez’s father, who shares the name Ricardo, was later born in the US, and her grandparents gained citizenship after living in the country for almost twenty years.
She originated from Grand Prairie, Texas, close to Dallas, but has allegedly purchased a house in Encino, California, that once belonged to the late rock musician Tom Petty. Gomez has candidly discussed how she lived in that home with her grandmother and grandfather, who publicly revealed in 2014 that the actress had lupus.
However, one of Parker’s posts mocked Gomez as the “offspring of Mexican illegals” while stating: “Perhaps Selena needs to be deported as well?” A subsequent post by Parker stated, “Deport Selena Gomez,” before he proceeded to mock fans of the artist who supported her, along with the media covering his outburst.
Gomez eventually removed the video and later posted on social media: “It seems showing empathy for others is not acceptable.”
She subsequently released another post stating, “Oh Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker. “Appreciate the humor and the warning.”
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In 2018, Parker registered to compete for a Utah US Senate seat that was ultimately secured by former Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney. Parker did not qualify for the party’s primary with two candidates as Romney, who was the governor of Massachusetts, secured a term that concluded in early January.
Gomez achieved a No 1 hit with Lose You to Love Me in 2019. In 2020, she launched her third consecutive No. 1 album and in 2021, she started appearing in the Emmy-nominated television comedy series Only Murders in the Building.
