SAN ANTONIO - Palo Alto College is continuing to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September through October.

On Thursday, PAC hosted a panel discussion focused on immigration, a topic that hits home for a lot of students, like Leslie Martinez.

"My Dad would work countless hours, he'd work holidays too, they're would be Christmases where we wouldn't see him," she said.

Martinez is a first generation student at Palo Alto College, and said her parents made a lot of sacrifices. Her Dad drove trucks and Mom stayed at home.

"They're very strict people, they're very work-oriented. My mom never completed middle school and my dad was the first person [in his family] to complete high school," she said. "My parents are both from Mexico, my mom just got her residency and she's been in this country for 25 years and she just got her residency. It's just something people aren't really open to talk about and I'm really happy this school is putting light into it," Marinez said.

"We have students that are undocumented, we have students whose family members are seeking services," said Lori Rodriguez with the college's Center for Mexican-American studies.

The first panel focused on immigration with presentations from local nonprofit and social service organizations like RAICES, Suenos sin Fronteras, and the Interfaith Welcome Coalition.

"There's a lot of misconceptions, a lot of conflict, and misunderstanding," said Rodriguez.

Maritnez says she knew her parents were nervous even up to a couple years ago.

"They're not really open in talking about stuff like that so I feel like this is my way to get closer to my heritage and my culture," she said.

That's why she volunteers with a Mexican-American culture organization at the school.

It helps her promote her heritage, she offers resources, and she can spread a message about who immigrants like her parents are.

"They're hard working human beings. I don't like the term aliens. They're humans. They're people too. They work just as hard as anyone else in this country as well," Martinez said.