A session on undocumented workers and social stigmas that surrounds the image of immigrants in the United States was introduced this Monday evening in the Phipps Lecture Hall in the Physical Science Building. Based on the discussion, it was revealed that there still exists a population of those who continue to ostracize individuals who happen to be different.

While there are many who fear a job depletion will occur if qualified, dignified undocumented workers are admitted the same opportunities as American citizens, there is yet another underlying fear that brews deeply.

The poor treatment toward these individuals is becoming problematic within our society and this particular period. The Daily Eastern News believes because some fear the presence of immigrants in this country, it allows further separation among citizens—making it nearly impossible to cohabitate.

Ideally, The News would hope rather than allowing others to reinforce stereotypes that can and do hinder an immigrant’s ability to find work and establish a steady life here in the United States, immigrants should be encouraged to gain citizenship in an honorable manner.

It is important for one to also research one’s own background before labeling others as immigrants as though the word itself is synonymous with someone lesser or unworthy of the same human rights. Many of our predecessors have traveled from come from every corner of this earth, and to distance oneself from their culture to marginalize others is a shameful act.

The News does not wish to generalize by saying that most people do this, but we hope to remind those who seem to have forgotten that they are not entirely a native-born American.

It is our responsibility to remind each other that demystifying the myths that revolve around immigrants should become to ultimate goal.

Many immigrants flee from their own countries in hopes that “the land of the free and home of the brave” will provide leverage for their families—safety and stability. They wish to escape poverty, fear, disasters and unemployment.

They long to lead healthful, steady lives. It is an appalling and arrogant prospect, to feel threatened and assume that immigrants wish to take jobs from us simply because it is an aspiration to put others out of work.

The goals for the Latin American Student Organization’s Undocumented Americans Week are to educate as many students as possible on the experiences and social, economical issues that undocumented people are forced to endure here in the United States. Another goal of this week is to allow students to better understand how and what immigrants contribute to our country.

As individuals who are dedicating time and spending generous amounts of money to broaden our intellect, we should strive to further educate ourselves about the contributions and struggles of immigrants.

The daily editorial is the majority opinion of the editorial board of The Daily Eastern News.