Immigration advocacy group CASA and leaders of Washington D.C.'s Ecuadorian community are urging President Barack Obama to extend Temporary Protection Status (TPS) to victims of April's devastating earthquake in Ecuador.

The groups scheduled a June 1 morning press conference near the White House where they will join in a prayer circle and outline why the Obama Administration should welcome displaced refugees. The magnitude quake killed over 600 people and left thousands injured, according to a CASA press release published Tuesday.

"At such difficult times, we must stand with our Latin American brothers and sisters and demand that they not be sent back to a country where it is unsafe for them to return," said CASA Executive Director Gustavo Torres.

Torres said TPS implementation is "common sense," adding that "We are only asking the President to make good on his promise to the people of Ecuador."

Working Around TPS Requirements

Foreign individuals seeking asylum are eligible for TPS if they native country is recognized as such by the Department of Homeland Security. The DHS Secretary designates a country for TPS based on the severity and epoch of their situation, be it civil war, an environmental disaster, or other extenuating circumstances.

Ecuador is not currently designated for TPS, but April's earthquake prompted U.S. lawmakers to call for change. Last month, Rep. Luis Gutiérrez, D-Ill., penned a letter Obama to circumvent Congress approval in aiding the immigrants.

"Given the magnitude of the destruction, Ecuadorians cannot safely return home," Gutierrez said. "Extending TPS is the compassionate response that would provide the many Ecuadorians throughout our country with much-needed security and stability in this time of personal, familial, and national crisis."

Ecuador Still Recovering

The April 16 quake was Latin America's strongest in over two decades. Thousand remain homeless over a month later, many living in parks or makeshift communities surrounded by countless buildings and homes that were destroyed.

Ecuador President Rafael Correa announced a 12-to-14-percent tax increase, a one-time levy on millionaires, and the liquidation of assets - in addition to $600 million worth of contingency loans - to help offset recovery costs. The U.S. government donated nearly $3 million of humanitarian aid and the European Commission has contributed over $5.5 million, nevertheless food and water distribution is slow-coming.

Volunteers from around the world remain in Ecuador for this reason, 100,000 arriving as part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The IFRC said they will provide assistance over the next 12 months.