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Wow... that’s quite interesting, really.

See, where I lived and worked among Illegal Immigrants (mostly Mexican - in west Denver), nary a soul celebrated the 4th of July, nor did they display a U.S. flag. On the contrary our neighborhood and part of the city was quite literally shut down for almost a week around Cinco de Mayo, and there were too many Mexican flags to count!

I had a discussion a few years back with one young man (in his late teens) during Cinco de Mayo, and when I asked them why, if they are here in the U.S., they are celebrating Mexican independence day, and they don’t celebrate the 4th of July he literally just stared at me, and couldn’t explain it. My co-worker (a LEGAL Mexican immigrant in her 50s) really let him have it. She said a bunch of stuff (Mostly in Spanish), and the jist of it was, you are HERE, not THERE, you should be thanking those who died for OUR independence in THIS country for the opportunities you have, instead of owing your allegiance to a country you no longer even live in...

In my experience, I have seen much more of the behavior displayed in Denver around the country, than what you are describing. Perhaps, it is a difference in the people who come to sanctuary cities vs. those who live elsewhere???

Dallas, and my experience is the same as yours. They’ll have picnics and stuff for the 4th, but only because they picnic all the time anyway. They don’t care about the meaning behind the day, nor do they care about Pearl Harbor or the Alamo (ha).

I don’t know why the difference. Maybe it is because we are in a generally conservative area. The people with whom I am familiar do retain some of their entertainment and social customs, such as music and frequent fiestas, which is fine with me since I’d probably rather listen to Mexican folk music than gangstra rap. There is also very little gang activity where we are compared to most areas. I report, you decide.

I had a discussion a few years back with one young man (in his late teens) during Cinco de Mayo, and when I asked them why, if they are here in the U.S., they are celebrating Mexican independence day

It isn't even their Independence day at all, it was just a victory in a battle with the French. I'd be embarrassed to celebrate such a thing. What is stupider is more and more Americans celebrating sinko de mayo.