BETHLEHEM – The America 250 Christmas Town Planning Committee has announced the fifth program in the seven-part speaker series called “How Does America’s Democracy Work?” hosted by the Bethlehem Library. These educational and non-partisan programs are free and open to the public.
On Monday, April 20, Quinnipiac University Law Professor John Thomas will discuss immigration in a program titled “A Quarter Millenium of Immigration: The United States at 250.”
The program will range from the influx of humans in the Americas 30,000 years ago to 15,000 years later, with the arrival of the Clovis People in the American Southwest. Thomas will address immigration through the lens of his childhood spent on a cattle ranch on the Mexican border, where he grew up on native land acquired by the U.S. government and given to white homesteaders. The talk will conclude with recent changes to the US immigration policy in light of this backdrop.
NPR described Thomas as “a history buff, a law professor, an author, a musician, a guitar enthusiast, and a music nerd, all wrapped up in one person.” He is also a filmmaker. His 2013 book, “Kalamazoo Gals: A Story of the Extraordinary Women and Gibson’s ‘Banner’ Guitars of WWII,” fostered a 2025 award-winning documentary “Kalamazoo Girls.” He has optioned the book and his life story to a Hollywood film company for the production of a “Kalamazoo Gals” scripted feature.
Thomas also wrote “One Hundred Years of Solitude, Struggle, and Violence along the US/Mexico Border: An Oral History,” which features oral histories of members of the ranching families who have lived in the Mexican state of Sonora and the corresponding territory in Arizona.
His current book, “Child Refugees – Exploring Public Health, Mental Health, Epigenetic, Neurological and Legal Needs” addresses the many challenges facing child refugees and asylum seekers around the globe.
Upcoming speakers in the series include Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas on Voting Process & Voting Rights (May 18), and Bethlehem’s First Selectman Ray Butksu on Citizen Responsibility (June 15).
All programs take place from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Leever Room of the Bethlehem Library, 32 Main Street South.
Registration is required as seating is limited. To register, call the Bethlehem Public Library at 203-266-7510, Extension 7, or register online at www.bethlehemlibraryct.org.