Controversy Surrounds “Love Island USA” Contestant

Cierra Ortega, a contestant on “Love Island USA,” has accused fans of contacting immigration authorities regarding her family following her controversial past comments.

Ortega was eliminated from the show after a social media post came to light, revealing her prior use of a racially charged term. This sparked immediate backlash across online platforms. On July 9, she addressed the situation in a detailed Instagram video, where she expressed her regret and took responsibility for her actions. Moreover, she claimed that some fans had reacted to her comments by threatening her family with calls to immigration enforcement.

“What’s really troubling is how people target my family,” Ortega shared. “They were calling for ICE on them. My family is not safe in their own home.”

She went on, revealing, “I am receiving death threats. I don’t believe that’s how we fight hatred. This doesn’t feel like justice.” Ortega acknowledged her past actions but stated she feels she is already facing consequences.

“This is deserving of a punishment, and I certainly received it,” she affirmed in her video.

“Backlash can be hard to handle, but I get why people are puzzled by what I said,” she added.

Ortega was officially removed from the show during the episode aired on July 6. Her parents also weighed in on the situation through her Instagram Story that same day. They expressed understanding of the anger directed at her while indicating that the online backlash has grown excessive.

“We recognize why people are outraged, and we appreciate the need for accountability, but what’s happening online now is taking it too far,” they said, as reported by E! News.