Mamdani Marks July 4 With Pro-Immigration Speech, Takes Aim at Trump Agenda Without Naming President
NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani marked the United States' 250th Independence Day with a strongly pro-immigration speech on Friday, presenting immigrants as central to the nation's identity while criticizing policies widely seen as targeting migrant communities.
Speaking from City Hall behind a historic desk once used by George Washington, Mamdani was surrounded by recently naturalized American citizens carrying U.S. flags. The setting was chosen to highlight New York City's historic role as the nation's gateway for immigrants.
Although Mamdani never mentioned President Donald Trump by name, he repeatedly condemned what he described as an exclusionary vision of America. He argued that some political leaders believe the country becomes weaker by welcoming immigrants and suggested that only certain people are viewed as fully belonging in the United States.
The mayor also criticized federal immigration enforcement, referring to masked agents detaining undocumented migrants, and called on Americans to defend the country's founding ideals of liberty, equality and opportunity for all. He said patriotism means acknowledging the nation's shortcomings while continuing to fight for its promises rather than ignoring them.
Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and became a U.S. citizen in 2018, framed America's history as one continually shaped by generations of immigrants. His speech came just hours before President Trump was scheduled to deliver his own Independence Day address at Mount Rushmore, highlighting the starkly different visions of America's identity presented by the two leaders.