Actress and singer Selena Gomez faced strong criticism from the Trump administration and families of victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants after posting a tearful video on Instagram lamenting deportations.

The White House X account and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt directly addressed Gomez's emotional response to the recent ICE raids targeting illegal immigrants with criminal records. They highlighted the tragic stories of Kayla Hamilton, Jocelyn Nungaray, and Rachel Morin, all murdered by illegal immigrants, and shared a video of their mothers criticizing Gomez.

In the now-deleted video, Gomez expressed anguish over the deportations, stating her concern for the affected children and families. She conveyed her desire to help to her vast Instagram following. This prompted a wave of criticism from conservatives, including former ICE Director Tom Homan, who questioned Gomez's lack of similar concern for victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants, particularly children who are victims of sex trafficking.

The mothers of the victims directly addressed Gomez in the video shared by the White House, questioning her emotional display and emphasizing the pain and loss they have experienced. They challenged Gomez's sincerity, suggesting her tears were performative rather than genuine. They also pointed out the lack of attention given to the victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

Leavitt ensured Gomez saw the video by tagging her account when sharing it. This public exchange highlights the contentious debate surrounding immigration enforcement and the emotional responses it evokes.