Protesters gathered in front of the Indian Consulate in New York Friday to voice their support for an Indian national at the center of what's become a diplomatic quarrel between the U.S. and India.

The demonstrators held signs for Sangeeta Richard, a housekeeper for an Indian diplomat based in New York. The diplomat, Devyani Khobragade, was charged with visa fraud and making false statements about Richards' salary.

A migrant-worker advocacy group organizer said diplomats have a history of abusing their domestic workers.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) LEAH OBIAS CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR FOR THE DAMAYAN MIGRANT WORKERS ASSOCIATION, SAYING:

"That this is actually not an isolated case but that diplomats, we have seen, are bringing workers over on these A-3 visas and G-5 visas and because of their immunity are able to abuse workers and exploit workers practically with impunity."

In India, the backlash again Khobragade's arrest and treatment during her detention by U.S. offi