Immigration advocates rallied to urge the federal government to expand temporary protected status for recently arrived asylum seekers, saying it would grant them immediate access to work.

Organizers say their request to the Biden administration is “common sense.”

The rally kicked off after many advocates, union members and civic groups came together earlier this month to write a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, explaining the danger, trauma and abuse migrants have been subjected to while they await work authorization. 

Those at the rally say that in the last year, thousands of migrants from across the globe have made their way to New York City, only to be unable to provide for themselves and rely on limited social services.

Under current immigration laws, some migrants are prevented from working for at least a year. But with the help of the federal government, advocates say migrants could work right away if temporary protected status is expanded.