In a significant display of unity, Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born Pontiff, and Zohran Mamdani, the inaugural Muslim mayor of New York City, delivered pro-immigrant speeches on the eve of the United States' 250th anniversary of independence. The messages, delivered a day prior to the July 4 Independence Day celebrations, were seen as a clear rebuke to President Donald Trump and his restrictive immigration policies. Pope Leo, who was born in Chicago, commended immigrants for shaping the US in a video broadcast from the Vatican to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He urged the US to recommit to its founding principles and recognize human dignity, regardless of borders. In New York City, Mamdani, himself a naturalized citizen, spoke alongside recently naturalized citizens, emphasizing the importance of welcoming diverse immigrants and rejecting those who believe that only select individuals deserve freedom. The speeches underscored the ongoing debate over the ideals that should define the US, with some advocating for diversity while others argue against slogans like "diversity, equity, and inclusion." The Trump administration, under advisor Stephen Miller's influence, has long been opposed to modern immigration systems, viewing them as a threat to the country. On Friday, Trump was scheduled to deliver a speech at South Dakota's Mount Rushmore to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US.