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Selena Gomez Talked About Her Family's Immigration From Mexico in Moving Graduation Speech

As big graduation ceremonies are put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, celebrities like Selena Gomez are speaking at digital commencements to celebrate 2020 grads for all they've accomplished.

Communities around the world have mobilized to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus; to abide by social distancing guidelines, families and friends are coming together to laud graduate achievements in whichever way they can. Over the weekend, Selena shouted out grads from immigrant families or who are immigrants themselves, in a heartfelt video message that played as part of the #Immigrad 2020 Virtual Commencement.

"I know that this is a virtual ceremony, but it's very real, and it's very real to all of the families and all of you and your communities,” she said in the video, which was broadcast in a program hosted by Define American, FWD.us, Golden Door Scholars, I Am An Immigrant, and United We Dream. “I want you guys to know that you matter and that your experiences are a huge part of the American story.”

The singer, actor, and producer also opened up about her family’s immigration story, which she has touched on through the years: Her aunt and grandparents crossed the border from Mexico into Texas in the 1970s, and her father was born shortly after the crossing. “When my family came here from Mexico, they set into motion my American story as well as theirs,” she said. “I'm a proud, third-generation American-Mexican, and my family's journeys and their sacrifice helped me get me to where I am today.”

She also shouted out the graduates, whose experiences can range from being the first person in their family to go to college, to navigating school as an undocumented or DACAmented student. “Each and every one of you have a unique tale of becoming an American, so regardless of where your family is from, regardless of your immigration status, you have taken action to earn an education to make your families proud and to open up your worlds,” Selena said. “I'm sending all of my love to you guys today, and congratulations. I hope you guys are set off to be everything that you want to be."

Earlier this month, Selena gave another message to the class of 2020, as part of #Graduation2020: Facebook and Instagram Celebrate the Class of 2020. “You all have worked incredibly hard to get to this point and I know it’s not exactly how you imagined your graduation to look like,” she said. “I want to say it’s okay not to know what to do with the rest of your life. It’s a journey to find your direction or your passions, so don’t get frustrated by the mistakes and setbacks as they happen to all of us.”

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Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue