Selena Gomez has spoken out after U.S. Senate candidate Sam Parker called for her deportation following her emotional response to recent immigration arrests under President Donald Trump’s administration.
“I’m so sorry,” Gomez previously said tearfully in a video shared on Instagram. “I don’t understand. I wish I could do something, but I can’t. I don’t know what to do. My people are being attacked, and it’s devastating.” She also added, “All my people are getting attacked, the children. I don’t understand.”
The video was later deleted, with Gomez posting again to later say, “Apparently it’s not ok to show empathy for people.”
In the wake of her video, former U.S. Senate candidate Sam Parker called for Gomez herself to also be deported.
“Deport Selena Gomez,” he wrote, later adding, “Selena Gomez picked illegals over America b/c she’s the 3rd gen descendent of Mexican illegals who received citizenship in the ‘87 Amnesty. She has an entitlement attitude toward America, like her illegal g’parents. Maybe Selena should be deported, too?”
Selena Gomez responds to U.S. Senate candidate Sam Parker calling for her to be ‘deported’:
“Oh Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker. Thanks for the laugh and the threat.” pic.twitter.com/ObzjSvdVi4
— Pop Base (@PopBase) January 28, 2025
Gomez responded to Parker’s remarks with a brief but pointed message on Instagram: “Oh Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker. Thanks for the laugh and the threat.”
Parker doubled down in a since-deleted post, writing (via MailOnline), “Inject their tears into my VEINS. I dragged Selena Gomez pretty hard today.” He also declared, “American Nationalism is back. With a little boost from Selena Gomez.”
Selena Gomez Advocates for Immigrant Families
For Gomez, the issue is deeply personal. As a Mexican-American, she has frequently spoken about her family’s migration history and the struggles faced by undocumented individuals in the U.S. Her father’s side of the family immigrated from Mexico, and she has often used her platform to advocate for humane immigration policies.
In 2019, she produced the Netflix documentary Living Undocumented, shedding light on the fear and uncertainty faced by immigrant families. That same year, she penned an essay for Time Magazine expressing her fears for those caught in the immigration system, writing, “I never forget how blessed I am to have been born in this country thanks to my family and the grace of circumstance.”
Despite stepping away from Disney Channel years ago, Gomez remains connected to the brand. She recently reprised her Wizards of Waverly Place role in the sequel series Wizards Beyond Waverly Place and continues to star as Mabel Mora in Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short.
Crackdown on Deportations in the U.S.
Gomez’s reaction comes amid a sweeping immigration crackdown following Donald Trump’s return to the White House. After defeating Joe Biden in the November election, Trump has wasted no time instating some of his most hardline policies.
Within days of being sworn into office, Trump has signed multiple executive orders accelerating mass deportations. According to NBC News, ICE arrested 1,179 individuals on Sunday alone, surpassing the 956 arrests made the previous evening. Of those detained, only 613 were considered “criminal arrests,” raising concerns about indiscriminate enforcement tactics.
In addition to ramping up ICE operations, Trump has moved to challenge the 14th Amendment by signing an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship. The controversial measure, set to take effect in February, would strip automatic citizenship from children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents.
The policy has already sparked legal battles, with 22 states and multiple civil rights organizations filing lawsuits to block its enforcement. Critics argue that such an order is unconstitutional and could create a generation of stateless individuals.
What do you think of Parker’s comments?
What an ungrateful little shit! Where are her tears for all the families of slain people, killed by illegal immigration’s! She needs to go live with “her people”, she’s not welcome here!
Give me a break. Any death is sad; any death at the hands of another is tragic.
But the % of people killed by American born men is much higher than the % of people killed by undocumented immigrants.
Your name sounds pretty foreign; you’re just lucky that your ancestors more than likely arrived here BEFORE THERE WERE RULES FOR ENTRY.
How has an immigrant ever hurt you?
I was just going to reply the same way you did. I guess if you’re murdered by an “real, born in the U.S. citizen” your death is not news worthy or used for vote capturing.
I stand by Selena, she was very brave to speak up. That takes a lot of courage. The hatred that is happening now has to stop, we are a country of mixed races, gay/straight, and creeds….I love all people and no one should be put into a corner or “removed” because of their race. If I could talk to Selena personally I would stand right by her and show we are all one in this nation. that is why we love it here.
I totally agree with what you’re saying,the degree of hatred pouring out of this man is disgusting, considering almost every one in America is an immigrant, the way they carry on about immigration is so very wrong,I’m glad I only visit the USA as I would hate to live in a country ruled by a racist and small minded people.jmo
This guy ran for senate in Utah and received ZERO VOTES. Tells you everything you need to know about him. He’s dying for recognition. Let’s not give it to him.
Selena, on the other hand, is at the top of her game. Everybody wants to be in her orbit now!
SINCE SHE LOVES HER PEOPLE AND COUNTRY SO TEARFULLY MUCH THEN BY ALL MEANS GO BACK WHERE YOU CAME FROM PLEASE