Selena Gomez Reveals Her Family’s Immigration Story In Beautiful Essay

Every person in this country has a story about how their ancestors migrated to the United States and Selena Gomez is opening up about hers. For the first time, in a personal essay written for Time magazine, Gomez is sharing publically how her family first settled in the state of Texas speaking candidly about their immigration experience and her thoughts on immigration.

“I don’t claim to be an expert. I’m not a politician, I’m not a doctor, and I don’t work in the system at all. I understand it’s flawed and that we need rules and regulations, but we also have to remember that our country was formed by people who came here from other countries,” she writes in the essay.

She sets up the personal essay by writing that in the 1970s, her aunt crossed the border from Mexico to the U.S. “hidden in the back of a truck” and that her grandparents followed suit. “My father was born in Texas soon after. In 1992, I was born a U.S. citizen thanks to their bravery and sacrifice,” she continues.

Gomez also touches on the importance of hard work among immigrant families.

“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.”

Her revealing story about her family’s migration to the U.S. comes on the heels of the new documentary she co-produced for Netflix titled Living Undocumented.

The TV project and this essay is the first time Gomez has gotten expressed her opinion and thoughts on the immigration crisis that’s currently plaguing our country during the current administration. Gomez shares the importance of speaking up and fighting for vulnerable and marginalized communities.

“I’m concerned about the way people are being treated in my country. As a Mexican-American woman, I feel a responsibility to use my platform to be a voice for people who are too afraid to speak… Fear shouldn’t stop us from getting involved and educating ourselves on an issue that affects millions of people in our country,” Gomes writes. “Fear didn’t stop my aunt from getting into the back of that truck. And for that, I will always be grateful.”

Perfectly written, Selena. Thank you for speaking your truth.

Click here to read her entire essay.