Selena Gomez divided social media users with her video crying over deportations but the White House has now made its stance clear.
Last month, Selena Gomez shared a video to her Instagram page crying to the camera as she reflected on Donald Trump’s America.
Trump insisted he would take steps to reduce and remove undocumented immigrants living in the US.
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After becoming president, he signed an executive order that is suspected to impact and deport millions, and Gomez is fearful for these people.
She also claimed that ‘her people’ were being attacked, likely in reference to her Mexican roots.
Not long after posting the video she deleted it as she faced some criticism from other social media users.
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The White House has now responded, sharing on Instagram its own video in response on January 31.
In a caption the page wrote: “Kayla Hamilton, Jocelyn Nungaray, and Rachel Morin were murdered by illegal aliens.
"Their courageous mothers had something to say to @SelenaGomez and those who oppose securing our borders.”
Take a look:
Kayla Hamilton’s mother, Tammy Nobles, said in the video: “What about our children who were brutally murdered and raped and beat to death and left on the floor by these illegal immigrants.
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“You don’t know who you are crying for. They didn’t cry for our daughters."
Jocelyn Nungaray’s mother, Alex Nungaray, added: “Seeing that video, it is hard to believe that it is actually genuine and real because she is an actress.
“My daughter was a child, there are many other children whose lives were taken due to people who cross here illegally."
Rachel Morin’s mother, Patty Morin, also commented in the video, saying: “I just feel like it's a ruse to deceive people and to garner sympathy for lawlessness.
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“No one has stood up except for us mothers to cry about our children.”
The trio then universally praised Trump for his efforts to tackle immigration and each said they were glad he is now president and is taking a hard stance against illegal immigration.
The response on social media for this video was mixed. Some users praised the White House for firing back at Gomez and continued to critizise the star.
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However, others argued it was unprofessional from the official White House page and argued it was exploiting the grief of these mothers for political points.
UNILAD has contacted Selena Gomez’s representatives for comment.
Trump's new deportation and immigration policies explained
The 78-year-old stated he will embark on the 'largest deportation programme in history', claiming he will deport 'maybe as many as 20 million' people.
"We will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came," he said.
Who is being targeted for deportation?
The president said migrants accused of crimes will be the first targets of the policy, but that all migrants illegally on US soil could also be subject to deportation.
Collateral arrests
The policy also means that undocumented migrants who haven't been accused of any crime but were found near to people who have could also be arrested in a move known as 'collateral arrests'.
Trump's administration said deportations would begin 'very quickly', although it's likely he will need the help of Congress to provide extra funding to actually carry it all out.
What powers do law enforcement now have?
Trump has ordered the likes of the FBI, DEA, ATF, US Marshals and the Bureau of Prisons to trawl through their databases for information on undocumented migrants such as possible locations.
The president has also told federal officials to investigate any local authorities that get in the way of his new policies clamping down on immigration.
On top of that, the administration announced it was revoking a policy which prevented arrests at protected locations such as schools and churches.
Trump's other immigration policies
Refugee travel ban
Prior to his inauguration, Trump vowed to expand his most controversial immigration policies - including the ban on travel for refugees and travellers, particularly those coming from Muslim countries.
"We will seal our border and bring back the travel ban," he previously said. "Remember the famous travel ban? We didn’t take people from certain areas of the world. We're not taking them from infested countries."
Ending birthright citizenship
In another executive order, the POTUS also announced his intentions to end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants.
However, a District Court Judge in Seattle described the potential alteration to birthright citizenship as 'blatantly unconstitutional', preventing it from going into full force without facing immediate legal challenges.
Halting 'all illegal entry' into US
During his inauguration address, the Republican announced his plans to 'halt' all 'illegal entry' into the States.
Another executive order suspended the entry of undocumented migrants to the US under any circumstances claiming that those who do make it to US soil 'are restricted from invoking' provisions like asylum.
'Remain in Mexico' programme reinstated
Another executive order has restarted the 'Remain in Mexico' programme, which requires non-Mexican asylum seekers to await their US hearing dates inside Mexican territory.
The Mexican government is preparing for thousands of deportees it expects to arrive from the US in the coming weeks.
Topics: Selena Gomez, News, US News
Gerrard Kaonga