I feel afraid for my country: Selena Gomez on US immigration crisis

Actor revealed some of her family members came undocumented from Mexico in powerful essay

Actor-singer Selena Gomez wants to bring attention to the immigration crisis in the United States.

The American superstar has penned an essay for Time magazine and revealed that some of her own family members came to the country undocumented from Mexico, reported CNN.

"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," Gomez wrote, adding that her aunt fled to the US in the back of a truck in the 1970s.

PHOTO: FILE

"My grandparents followed, and my father was born in Texas soon after." While Gomez herself was born a US citizen, not everyone is so fortunate. "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.

Her family's experience inspired her to turn executive producer on a new docu-series for Netflix called Living Undocumented. She was approached about the project in 2017. "I wanted to shine a light on eight immigrant families in the US from different countries and backgrounds, all facing possible deportation," mentioned Gomez.

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/SELENA GOMEZ

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

Gomez met three of the young people featured in the series and revealed that as a Mexican-American woman, she felt moved to use her platform to be a voice for people who are too afraid to speak.

Social media has really been terrible for my generation: Selena Gomez

Selena, who famously dated Baby singer Justin Bieber, is the second-most followed woman on Instagram with over 156 million followers. However, the singer recently opened up about her struggles with social media.

She warned fans against networking sites such as Instagram and their detrimental effect on today's youth, stating they could be dangerous and contribute to a world of disinformation and bullying.

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/SELENA GOMEZ

“Social media has really been terrible for my generation,” Gomez told a news conference in Cannes. “I understand that it’s amazing to use your platform, but it does scare me when you see how exposed these young girls and young boys are, and they are not really aware of the news or anything going on. I think it’s dangerous, for sure. I don’t think people are getting the right information sometimes."

Gomez was last seen in zombie flick The Dead Don't Die alongside Hollywood stars Bill Murray and Tilda Swinton. The story line took aim at deniers of climate change and pokes fun at the woes of an overly materialistic society.

Living Undocumented launches globally on Netflix on Wednesday.

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