Organizers had said 'millions' of immigrants, both legal and illegal, and those supporting them would heed the call to stay home from work and not buy or sell anything. They also said the protests would shut down major US cities.
But life on the East Coast was normal and without major protests Monday morning. It was business as usual in Washington, where the boycott showed little if any impact.
However, most immigrants live in the west of the country, and the action is likely to attract more support in Los Angeles and in the states of Texas and Arizona, where the biggest pro-immigration rallies so far have been held.
In addition, some employers have given their workers the day off, including large meat-packing plants that have a high number of Hispanic workers, according to media reports.
But an internal division over the usefulness of the boycott was expected to dampen turnout throughout the country. Many groups fear a backlash from protests that have the potential of alienating the public, and believe that a boycott is too desperate a measure that comes too early in the fight for immigration reform.
'My concern is that these demonstrations are going to be a distraction from what the real issue is, and that's the need for comprehensive immigration reform,' Bill Richardson, the Hispanic governor of New Mexico, told the CBS television network. 'I would rather have those demonstrators go to each of the congressional offices - the House and Senate offices - and explain to their representatives how important this issue is.'
Stringent immigration reform legislation passed in the US House of Representatives sparked protests throughout the country and united Hispanics, who are usually not a political force in the US.
That bill would make illegal immigration a felony and would also punish those helping illegal immigrants.
The Senate bill currently under consideration takes a less harsh approach. It would allow most of the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants to remain in the country after paying fines, back taxes, learning English and passing a criminal background check.
Critics of the boycott fear it could hurt the pro-immigration movement's position in the Senate.
But groups have already adjusted after criticism that there were too many Mexican flags and too few American banners at earlier rallies. Now, organizers urge protesters to only bring American flags and to not chant in Spanish, according to media reports.
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