Mariachi star performs ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ in ICE detention
A mariachi musician arrested by federal immigration authorities carried out “The Star-Spangled Banner” to commemorate the Fourth of July whereas locked up inside a Texas detention heart the place he’s nonetheless being held.
Hebert Kaleth Ibarra Castro, 20, was 4 years outdated when he arrived within the U.S. with this household after fleeing violence in Mexico, in response to Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro, who’s advocating for his launch. Hebert Castro was nonetheless sporting his mariachi apparel after acting at a party when he was arrested exterior San Antonio final month.
On Thursday, because the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention heart commemorated the nation’s independence, Hebert Castro belted out a rendition of the nationwide anthem alongside a show of fellow detainees’ red-white-and-blue handkerchiefs.
Alex Woodward4 July 2026 19:06
Watch: Navy flyovers mark America’s 250th anniversary
Alex Woodward4 July 2026 18:23
‘Trump Accounts’ launch right this moment. This is what it’s essential know
The Trump administration has launched a financial savings and retirement for kids born between 2025 and 2028, who will obtain a one-time $1,000 authorities deport that converts to a conventional IRA at 18.
Dad and mom of newborns who register them for Social Safety numbers whereas the infants are nonetheless within the hospital will reportedly have the option to enroll in the Trump Accounts on the similar time, an effort anticipated to develop the pool of eligible infants.
Alex Woodward4 July 2026 18:00
MAGA stalwart claims somebody with Trump Derangement Syndrome ‘geoengineered’ DC heatwave
A MAGA trustworthy and distinguished 2020 election denier claimed the extreme warmth oppressing the nation’s capital and disrupting America’s 250th celebrations was “geoengineered” by an individual with Trump Derangement Syndrome, a made-up situation the president makes use of to diagnose his critics.
Ariana Baio4 July 2026 17:45
American-born pope urges US to welcome and defend immigrants in Fourth of July letter
Pope Leo marked the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence on Saturday with a strong enchantment to his fellow People, urging them to embrace and safeguard immigrants.
The message was delivered within the midst of the Trump administration’s government-wide marketing campaign to arrest and take away 1 million individuals from the nation annually,
Alex Woodward4 July 2026 17:30
Watch: Vance pans ‘small however loud voices’ who name out ‘nationwide imperfections’
Alex Woodward4 July 2026 17:10
JD Vance tells People to ‘reject’ the ‘two-dimensional’ criticism of nation’s imperfections
Vice President JD Vance condemned what he known as “small voices” who level out what Vance admitted are the “very actual imperfections” within the nation’s historical past because the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.
“They’ll discuss America’s sins with the anger and zeal of a brimstone preacher,” he stated from New York Metropolis. “These individuals misunderstand the essence of America.”
He known as on his “fellow People” to “reject the two-dimensional view of your fellow residents.”
“Reject that America is a spot for zero-sum pondering as a result of it’s not,” stated Vance, describing the nation’s founding as “carving out civilization from the wilderness.”
He didn’t title names, however his remarks observe an handle from town’s mayor Zohran Mamdani which have outraged Trump’s allies and right-wing media pundits.
In an handle on Friday, the mayor emphasised the nation’s variety and function of immigrants in shaping the nation across the rules established within the Structure whereas additionally recognizing the “nation of contrasts” — ICE focusing on immigrants as communities band collectively round them and the function of staff within the nation’s historical past towards billionaires who exploit them, for instance.
Alex Woodward4 July 2026 17:00
In picture: White nationalist group Patriot Entrance assembles in DC for July 4
Patriot Entrance, a white nationalist neo-fascist group shaped within the aftermath of the violent Unite the Proper rally in 2017, is assembling in Washington, D.C. this morning because the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.
Alex Woodward4 July 2026 16:45
JD Vance hails America’s naval may and Structure’s endurance in remarks from New York
Vice President JD Vance, talking from Manhattan, famous that the panorama regarded “very, very totally different” when George Washington was in the identical place along with his gaze “mounted on the horizon for sails on essentially the most highly effective navy” greater than 250 years in the past.
“Conflict was coming and everybody knew it,” he stated as he recalled 1000’s of British troops descending on the fledgling nation.
Following the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Washington learn the doc that has “stirred our hearts and reminded us who we’re as a individuals” to his troops, Vance stated.
To his troops, the doc “was solely new … that they had by no means heard these phrases earlier than,” he stated.
“It was written for the individuals of this fledgling nation,” he stated. “As a doc, it doesn’t handhold its readers … It doesn’t pause to clarify who this ‘creator’ is or ‘what equality of males’ means … It merely declares ‘these truths to be self evident.’”
Alex Woodward4 July 2026 16:35
America’s latest residents sworn in for 250th annversary
The U.S. routinely holds naturalization ceremonies throughout the nation across the Fourth of July to welcome America’s latest residents.
Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia plantation house Monticello hosted a ceremony this morning to swear within the newest group of recent residents on the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“Please know, you might be all welcome,” Decide Elizabeth Okay. Dillon informed the group on Saturday morning.
The occasion marked the landmark’s 64th annual naturalization ceremony.
“A few of you could have come the america for a greater life, some for a job, some for household, some for schooling, some for love and a few for freedom,” she added.
“A few of you could have lived right here for a lifetime and others might have arrived extra just lately. Some might have come from free nations the place you transition was one in all selection and others might have risked your lives to flee a rustic the place there isn’t a freedom and no selection.”
Alex Woodward4 July 2026 16:30










