Immigrants embark on tour to foster understanding

Carlos Chacon , a 41-year-old immigrant from El Salvador, last saw his wife and two sons before he came to the United States eight years ago. Every week, Chacon calls home and his sons, ages 14 and 20, ask the same question: "Daddy, when are we going to be together?"

"Every time I cry," Chacon said yesterday. " 'Next year, next year,' I say. But it's so hard when the next year comes and we're not together."

Yesterday, Chacon was one of 10 Boston-area immigrants and advocates to board a train headed for Washington, D.C., where 100 people from 10 cities nationwide are expected to converge this week to share their wrenching immigration stories with government officials. The individuals are part of the "Dreams Across America Tour," an effort meant to foster a better understanding of the challenges immigrants face, including an escalating number of raids that have kept the community on edge, according to organizers.

"We're looking for immigration reform," said Chacon, who said he came to the United States on a tourist visa, and now has Temporary Protected Status.

Elda Martinez , who came from Los Angeles to manage the Boston group, said its message is clear: the immigrants "want to be a part of this society. We hope that on this trip, we will be able to personalize the immigration debate so that the American public meets the people who have been living here, who work very hard to rebuild this country."

This week, the US Senate is expected to hear a controversial immigration bill that Democrat and Republican leaders revived last Thursday. The legislation includes provisions for more border security, the eventual citizenship of illegal immigrants, and a crackdown on the hiring of illegal immigrants.

The Boston group -- whose members come from places such as Chile, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Japan, and Sierra Leone -- planned to stop at several immigrant-related events before arriving in the nation's capitol Wednesday.

Although members of the Boston group agree they want immigration reform, their efforts are fueled by different life experiences.

Chacon said the immigration bill represents a step toward reuniting with his family.

Rafaella Aleixo , 19, said she joined the group for those who could not attend. Her father was deported to Brazil last year. A number of her classmates in the National Honor Society at Somerville High School took secretarial jobs in lieu of attending college because they were illegal immigrants, Aleixo said.

"We want to be a voice for everyone who can't do anything," said Aleixo, who just finished her first year at Salem State College.

Gobnait Conneely , who emigrated from Ireland 27 years ago, was a silent advocate before she became a US citizen in 1980. Conneely, 48, said that as an undocumented worker, she was afraid to share unfavorable opinions and of being reported to local authorities.

"My life didn't begin until I got my green card," said the West Roxbury resident. "You're always looking over your shoulder."

Gabriel Camacho of Watertown said the immigrant community has mobilized to exercise its political clout.

Camacho said his parents were fortunate to find union jobs when they came to America. His mother, who emigrated from Colombia , was a seamstress. His father, from Mexico, worked as a hotel cook through a program for temporary contract laborers.

"But now what I see in terms of immigrant workers is that they're being exploited," said Camacho, 46. "They're not being paid minimum wage, but our economy depends on that."

April Simpson can be reached at asimpson@globe.com.