Selena Gomez's family history revealed following tearful video about Trump's immigration policy

By KIRSTY MCCORMACK FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: | Updated:

Selena Gomez has been criticized for posting a tearful video about President Donald Trump's deportation policy, but as a third-generation American-Mexican, it's an issue that is very close to her heart.

In the since deleted Instagram clip, the 32-year-old singer sobbed as she reacted to the President's threat of mass deportations of all undocumented immigrants, which has ignited fears of family separations.

Selena has been very vocal in the past about her family's journey to the US and the fact that her aunt crossed the border from Mexico hidden in the back of a truck in the 70s.

Her grandparents, Mary and Ricardo Gomez, soon followed from Monterrey and Selena's father Ricardo Joel Gomez was born in Texas soon after they arrived in the States.

Writing a first person article for TIME magazine back in October 2019 when Trump was originally President of the United States, Selena shared her thoughts on immigration.

'Over the past four decades, members of my family have worked hard to gain United States citizenship,' she said.

'Undocumented immigration is an issue I think about every day, and I never forget how blessed I am to have been born in this country thanks to my family and the grace of circumstance.

'But when I read the news headlines or see debates about immigration rage on social media, I feel afraid for those in similar situations. I feel afraid for my country,' she continued.

Selena Gomez posted a video of herself on social media sobbing about President Donald Trump's deportation policy

Selena Gomez posted a video of herself on social media sobbing about President Donald Trump's deportation policy

Selena's grandparents Mary and Ricardo Gomez arrived in the US illegally from Mexico in the 1970s

Selena's grandparents Mary and Ricardo Gomez arrived in the US illegally from Mexico in the 1970s

'It [immigration] is a human issue, affecting real people, dismantling real lives,' Selena wrote. 'How we treat our fellow human beings defines who we are.

'Fear didn't stop my aunt from getting into the back of that truck. And for that, I will always be grateful,' she added.

Selena's close ties to the issues of immigration led to her becoming involved in the 2019 Netflix documentary series Living Undocumented, which shines a light on eight immigrant families in the US.

'I watched footage outlining their deeply personal journeys and I cried. It captured the shame, uncertainty, and fear I saw my own family struggle with,' Selena said of her involvement.

'But it also captured the hope, optimism, and patriotism so many undocumented immigrants still hold in their hearts despite the hell they go through,' she added.

Selena showed her sympathy yet again this week when she shared her tearful video on Instagram.

'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,' she said in the since-deleted recording on Monday. 

The Wizards of Waverly Place alum, who lives with her paternal grandparents, captioned the post: 'I'm sorry [Mexican flag emoji].'

Selena pictured as a child with her father, Ricardo Joel Gomez, who was born in Texas

Selena pictured as a child with her father, Ricardo Joel Gomez, who was born in Texas

In a 2019 article for TIME magazine, Selena wrote that members of her family had 'worked hard to gain United States citizenship'

In a 2019 article for TIME magazine, Selena wrote that members of her family had 'worked hard to gain United States citizenship'

Selena's grandparents pictured celebrating 50 years of marriage back in September 2022

Selena's grandparents pictured celebrating 50 years of marriage back in September 2022

After quickly taking down her post, she shared a message that read: 'Apparently it's not ok to show empathy for people.'

Last week, a 'nationwide immigration crackdown resulted in the arrest of 956 people, the most since Trump returned to power,' according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

Per BBC, a 'number of federal agencies with newly expanded detention powers were involved in the raids in a number of cities including Chicago, Newark and Miami.' 

Selena, a Golden Globe nominee, has previously said that she feels 'a responsibility to use' her platform 'to be a voice for people who are too afraid to speak.' 

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