Selena Gomez steps in as immigrants seek hope during ICE raids
Photo: Reuters
Selena Gomez has drawn widespread attention after hosting a free licensed therapy session aimed at immigrants and their families affected by ICE operations in the United States. The emotional mental health chat was organised through her beauty brand Rare Beauty, which has expanded its ongoing advocacy work by offering direct access to professional support and additional mental health resources.
During the session, Gomez spoke candidly about the fear and uncertainty many immigrant families are facing. She told participants, “I’m praying for some sort of hope,” a line that has since been widely shared across social platforms. The actress and singer has previously spoken about her own mental health journey, and this latest initiative reflects Rare Beauty’s long running commitment to wellbeing through its Rare Impact Fund.
According to organisers, the therapy session was free to attend and led by licensed professionals who provided guidance on coping with anxiety, trauma and stress linked to immigration enforcement activity. Rare Beauty also shared links to multilingual mental health tools, community hotlines and local support networks, ensuring families could continue accessing help after the live event ended.
Online reaction was swift. Clips from the session circulated on social media, with many users praising Gomez for using her platform to deliver tangible support rather than simply posting statements. Several viral comments described the move as compassionate and timely, while others highlighted how rare it is to see celebrity backed brands fund direct therapy access. Supporters also applauded Rare Beauty for centring immigrant voices and offering culturally sensitive resources.
At the same time, the initiative sparked political debate. Critics questioned whether brands should involve themselves in issues connected to immigration enforcement. Supporters pushed back, arguing that mental health support is a humanitarian issue rather than a political one. The discussion continued to trend throughout the day as hashtags linked to Selena Gomez and Rare Beauty climbed on multiple platforms.
Gomez has remained vocal about her desire to create safe spaces through her work. In previous interviews, she has said that building Rare Beauty was never only about selling makeup but about encouraging emotional openness and self acceptance. This latest effort reinforces that approach by placing real world action at the centre of the brand’s public image.
As immigration concerns remain in the spotlight, Gomez’s decision to host a therapy session has positioned her as one of the few high profile figures actively providing mental health support during a tense period. With Rare Beauty confirming plans to expand access to similar resources in the future, the response suggests that the initiative has resonated deeply with both fans and affected communities.