Thousands of mostly peaceful protesters swarmed New York City streets on May 1 – known as a day of action on International Workers' Day. Marchers from numerous workers' unions, demonstration groups like Occupy Wall Street and students beat drums and chanted: "We stand for justice! The people united will never be defeated!"

"This city—this country--would shut down if it weren't for the hard work of immigrants," said protestor Anna Rivera, 38. "They need protection and human rights."

Eight arrests were made, according to city police, at an Occupy Wall Street rally. Most of the protests around the city, however, were peaceful. A heavy police presence followed marchers as they walked to city hall.

"We want to unite workers and immigrants," Laurie Smolensky, a member of a group called New Yorkers for Real Immigration Reform, told DNAinfo. "We are calling for better conditions, better labor practices and most importantly, passing immigration reform. Families are being torn apart from deportation. Working rights are being violated and the time is now."

For many marchers, immigration reform and workers' rights go hand-in-hand. Paper rats on sticks were held aloft to symbolize abused migrant workers. The issue has taken on special significance this year as Congress considers legislation that would provide a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented workers currently living in the United States. A "Gang of Eight" bipartisan group of senators has proposed the "Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act" that would allow undocumented immigrants to become citizens through a complex application process and toughen security and borders. It would require employers to check the legal status of job applicants through an online verification system and shift the country toward merit-based visas focused on work skills, away from family-based visas and green cards.

The proposal has failed miserably, however, as protestors say it does not go far enough to extend equal rights to migrant workers.

"The new Gang of Eight proposal for immigration reform is pretty much offering crumbs," protestor Gonzalo Venegas said at a hip-hop performance, "and creating a second-tier class of citizenship."

Despite vocal support for immigration reform, deportations have risen sharply under the Obama administration. The president has exhibited a lukewarm reaction to the proposed legislation before Congress, but insisted that a pathway to citizenship must be included in any immigration bill at a press conference at the White House:

"I think we've got to be open-minded in seeing what they come up with. The bottom line, though, is that they've still got to meet those basic criteria. Does it make the border safer? Does it [deal] with employers and how they work with the governments to make sure that people are not being taken advantage of or taking advantage of the system? Are we improving our legal immigration system? And are we creating a pathway for citizenship for the 11 million or so who are undocumented in this country?"

The "bipartisan" work that has been accomplished on immigration reform so far is encouraging, said Obama, that the bill will pass the Senate and House in a "historic achievement." It's a delicate balancing act for the president. If he throws his full support behind the bill he will alienate Republicans who fear giving the president a "win"—but he would likely be criticized if he stays on the sidelines.

According to surveys by Pew Research, a solid majority of Americans support allowing undocumented workers to remain in the country, but are divided on offering them citizenship. A March survey found that 71 percent of Americans say there should be a way for people in the United States illegally to remain in the country if they meet certain requirements. Of those, 43 percent said illegal immigrants should be allowed to apply for citizenship and 24 percent support legal residency only. Around half of Americans agree "immigrants today strengthen the country because of their hard work and talents" and 41 percent believe immigrants are "a burden on our country."

The protests in New York were just a part of demonstrations around the world for the international day of action. Hours after a peaceful march ended in Seattle, some protestors began throwing rocks and bottles at police—leading to 17 arrests. Peaceful marches also took place in Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Manila, Havana, Berlin and Istanbul. Though the day is recognized as an official holiday by many countries, the United States has not yet recognized the day of celebration for the working class. Since 2006, American unions and activists have encouraged May 1 as a day of protest.

"It was mostly immigrants who led the first May Day movement for the eight-hour day. Now a new generation of immigrant workers has revitalized and brought May Day back to life," María Elena Durazo, head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, told reporters. "Progressives around the country, working on all kinds of issues, have embraced the new May Day movement. It isn't just about immigrant rights. It isn't just about workers rights on the job or even about raising the standard of living for all workers. It's about what kind of country we want to be."

The author is a contributing writer to Beijing Review, living in New York City