Chances are, if you live in America, your ancestors were immigrants.
To remind students of this fact, several campus groups sponsored a Dominican Cultural Celebration on Saturday night in recognition of Immigration Awareness Day.
Event coordinator Dana McAllister said she hoped students would be enlightened by the experience.
"Hopefully they'll see how the majority of immigrants are hard-working and just trying to look for better opportunities," McAllister said.
McAllister said the event would educate students about the struggles of immigrants as well as counter a "backlash against immigrants."
"Sometimes (immigrants) are seen as lazy and sucking up resources," McAllister said. "People forget that someone from their family came here from another country."
The celebration featured Dominican food courtesy of El Salto restarants of Detroit. Restaurant owner Maria LeMoione is an immigrant from Santo Domingo.
A crowd of close to 70 students gathered in the small classroom available at Lorch Hall, some even spilling into the hall, to enjoy the contributions of immigrants from the Dominican Republic.
McAllister said she was pleased with the unexpectedly large turnout and the interest of students.
LeMoione stayed to enjoy the festivities with students, many of whom she had seen at El Salto.
She said she was happy to provide for the event.
"I am so glad they (picked) me to bring the food," LeMoione said. "As for my experience in the United States, how can I say, I got everything I dreamed."
While partaking of arroz con guandules and chicharron de pollo with dulce de coco for dessert, students listened to Latin music and danced when there was space.
Students said they enjoyed the food and a chance to celebrate a variety of cultures.
"It's the classic food," said School of Public Policy sophomore Tanus Saad. "This is the first time they (had) an event (for Dominicans)."
After getting their fill, many of the students gathered in Lorch Auditorium for a premiere of the Angel Muniz film "Nueba Yol," a comedy about the experiences of a Dominican immigrant to New York.
Students said the film, shown in Spanish with English subtitles, was entertaining.
"It was really cute, and I like Spanish so it was kind of interesting," said LSA first-year student Carrie Krischer.
The event was sponsored in part by Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs, Alianza and the University Activities Center.