Singer and actress Selena Gomez recently ignited a social media firestorm after posting and subsequently deleting a tearful video on her Instagram story expressing distress over ICE deportations. The video, captioned "I’m sorry" and accompanied by a Mexican flag emoji, showed a visibly upset Gomez lamenting the situation. She expressed feeling powerless and a desire to help, stating, "All my people are getting attacked, the children. I don’t understand. I’m so sorry, I wish I could do something, but I can’t. I don’t know what to do. I’ll try everything, I promise."

Following the video's removal, another since-deleted story reportedly appeared with the caption, "Apparently it’s not okay to show empathy for people." This action further fueled online discussions, with figures like Piers Morgan criticizing Gomez's display as "absurd celebrity narcissism."

Gomez's emotional response comes in the wake of nationwide ICE roundups over a weekend in which over 1,200 undocumented immigrants with criminal charges or convictions were apprehended. The actress has previously addressed the topic of undocumented immigration, having executive produced the Netflix docuseries "Living Undocumented." She has also spoken publicly about how her family's history has been shaped by immigration, recounting her aunt's journey across the border from Mexico in the 1970s and her grandparents' subsequent immigration to the United States.

In a 2019 interview, Gomez shared her family’s experience and expressed her anxieties concerning immigration debates. She acknowledged her fortunate position as a U.S. citizen while emphasizing her concern for those facing similar challenges. This personal connection appears to be a driving force behind her public expressions of empathy.