Google searches for one phrase hit five-year high following video of Selena Gomez crying
After Selena Gomez shared a teary video online of herself reacting to one of Donald Trump's newly-implemented deportation policies, one particular Google search phrase has reportedly sky-rocketed.
According to entertainment news firm Popfaction, millions of people have been frantically researching one aspect of the controversial new order since the actress shared her emotional upload earlier this week - the highest rate of searches for this specific phrase in over five years.
For those in need of a refresher, 32-year-old Gomez took to Instagram on Monday (27 Jan), where she posted a video of herself crying while discussing a new executive order surrounding immigration implemented by Trump last week.
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In his inauguration speech (20 January), the 78-year-old Republican leader - who happens to be the first person convicted of a felony to assume the presidency - announced his plans to 'halt' all 'illegal entry' into the US.
"And we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came," he continued, just days before also announcing his intentions to end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants.
Trump also announced plans to deport millions of immigrants to Central and South America.
Reacting to the policies, Only Murders In The Building star Gomez - who is a third-generation Mexican-American - told her viewers in a passionate video: "All my people are getting attacked, the children."
She went on to cry: "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."
Despite facing backlash for her now-deleted video - including from one politician, who suggested she herself be deported - Gomez' outcry has seemingly prompted a huge surge in people frantically searching how they and their families could be affected by Trump's new rules.
As we say, Popfaction have reported that Google searches for 'immigration rights' have reached a five-year high this week, with many possibly having been influenced by the 'Who Says' singer's message of concern.
The news has resulted in mass support for Gomez, with one fan gushing online in response to the search surge: "Yes yes and yes, it’s just about empathy about something that touches her soul, because of her story, and also, she always get emotional and shows support when it comes to vulnerable stuff."
Another added: "I don't care what anyone else say I will always have Selena's back no matter what!!! Everyone can have a different opinions on this matter."
As part of Trump's plan to embark on the 'largest deportation programme in history', in which the president claims to want to deport 'maybe as many as 20 million' people, his new immigration 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.
This forms is known as 'collateral arrests'.
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.
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.
During his speech, Trump ordered that military officers warden the border between the US and Mexico, and ruled that migrants can no longer make advance appointments with border officials.
The Mexican government is preparing for thousands of deportees arriving from the US in the coming weeks.
Topics: Celebrity, Donald Trump, News, Politics, Selena Gomez, US News, Social Media
Rhianna Benson