Immigrants and businesses across Texas and the nation are braced for work and spending boycotts today.
The “Day Without Immigrants'' protests are planned in Houston, Dallas, Lubbock and Austin. Supporters are protesting proposed crackdowns on illegal immigrants.
Some immigrants say they won't participate because they can't afford to skip work or are worried about ramifications if they do. Others say the boycotts could be coming too soon after large-scale protests held last month.
But many immigrants are planning to participate, and some businesses say they'll give employees the day off or close their doors in a show of support.
All four locations of Kerbey Lane in Austin will be closed on Monday. Owners said they wanted to "take pressure off workers." El Sol y la Luna on South Congress also made the decision not to open.
The El Gran Mercado flea market in East Austin is already feeling the impact. Last weekend, a rumor of an immigration raid sent people created a chaotic stampede. This weekend, the place was virtually empty.
Vendor Maria Saucedo, who works a maid during the week, said many of her regular customers are still hiding, unwilling to risk deportation or interrogation by visiting the popular immigrant hangout. She said she’s staying home Monday to make a point.
El Gran Mercado owner Mohammed Wadiwalla said Saturday's numbers show the impact.
"We were down by almost 50 percent as far as the flea market goes. And people are starting to wonder, ‘Are we going to have foot traffic?’ Because people are scared," he said.
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Local impact
News 8 Austin's Hermelinda Vargas reports from El Gran Mercado in East Austin.
 
Closed for business
News 8 Austin's Jennifer Bordelon
reports from Kerbey Lane in South Austin.
Nationwide impact
CNN's Sumi Das reports from
Chicago.
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Alex Serrato worries fear will also keep immigrants from participating in Monday's national immigrant action day. He said many people are afraid to leave their house for fear that they'll be picked up in a store or on the job.
For that reason Serrato and others say they will participate to support other immigrants who are afraid.
"Most of the restaurants and construction, the hard work, it's based mostly Mexicans or immigrants. And if they don't go to work, they're going to see how much they need us and how much we really help the U.S.A.," flea market vendor Yaneta De la Rosa said.
Maria Jimenez, the organizer of a Houston rally, says immigrants will be encouraged to petition lawmakers for permanent residency. She said turnout at the rally could be reduced by fear among some immigrants that immigration officials might make arrests. She said many illegal immigrants have indicated they will take the day off from work, but won't attend rallies.
The head of the Center for Latin American studies at the University of California, Berkeley, said protesters are “making visible their strong feelings.''
Not everyone agrees. Sen. Trent Lott tells CNN that it's “counterproductive'' to encourage people not to go to work or school.
