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Hector Manrique takes a look around his taqueria and sighs. It's 3:30 in the afternoon, and usually around this time at least five or six tables are occupied by day laborers fresh off work, or schoolchildren and families in search of a torta or taco after school.

But today, Taqueria Guadalajara's plastic lawn chairs and tables are empty, and so is the tip jar on the counter. Street traffic in this predominantly Hispanic neighborhood of Phoenix, Arizona, is also lighter than usual, says Manrique, who opened the casual Mexican eatery in 2003.

Not even a week has passed since Gov. Jan Brewer signed into law tough measures targeting illegal immigrants, but Manrique and others who own businesses that cater primarily to Phoenix's large Hispanic community say they are already feeling the effects.

"I think they're afraid of being out on the streets knowing they're going to get pulled over by the sheriff," says Manrique, a Mexican-born U.S. citizen who has lived in Phoenix since the 1990s. "A lot of people told me they're afraid to go out even though the law's not fully passed."

On Monday, Brewer deflected concerns that the state's new immigration law will hurt economic development, saying many businesses have long wanted tougher action.

Manrique says customers started to become scarce a few weeks ago, when news surfaced that the bill was likely to pass. Then came Friday, the day Brewer signed the legislation.

"The streets just went empty. Usually on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we're packed. But this weekend was empty like I'd never seen it before," Manrique said.

Across town, Jose Rivas' bodega offers customers a money wiring teller, a butcher counter and a wide variety of Mexican brands of cookies, beverages and household goods. He said his business also is taking a hit, and that the effects could be long-term.

"Ours is a culture that consumes a lot -- food, drinks, clothes, you name it," said Rivas, periodically stopping to greet or wave at a customer. "If no one's out shopping, how can I afford to employ my workers? They're all here legally. What happens to them?"

Ernesto Tercero, a first-generation Arizonan whose family is from Mexico, owns a meat distribution company that supplies dozens of stores in Phoenix. He says SB 1070 is a slap in the face to the Hispanic community.

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Mexican boycotts in response to the Arizona immigration law are blooming like desert wildflowers.

The Mexican state of Sonora canceled a cross-border meeting to be held in Phoenix in June – the first time the annual gathering will be interrupted in more than 50 years.

Independent truckers are saying they refuse to transport goods into or out of the state of Arizona.

“It is harmful for the state of Arizona,” says Alejandro Díaz-Bautista, a professor of economics at the Colegio de la Frontera Norte in Tijuana. “It will cost some jobs. It sends the wrong message to investors in the state. It will impact tourism.”

No. 1 trading partnerFernando Jimenez, the director of trade and investment for the Americas for the Arizona Department of Commerce, says that in 2009, nearly $4.5 billion worth of products were exported from the state to Mexico, which is Arizona’s No. 1 trading partner. That includes semiconductor chips, machinery, and plastics.

“Trade with Mexico is extremely important for our state,” he says.

Also, nearly 40 percent of fruits of vegetables imported to the US from Mexico pass through Arizona, according to research by the Colegio de la Frontera Norte.

If boycotts from Mexico become widespread, it could hurt the state economy.

Cesar Nava, the president of Mr. Calderon’s ruling National Action Party, called on Mexicans to abstain from visiting Arizona, in protest of the legislation and in solidarity with Mexicans already there.

More threats could come in the days ahead. Mexican President Felipe Calderon, whose government condemned the law, said that trade and political ties will be “seriously affected.”

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Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) has been calling for a boycott of his own state, urging, “Do not do business with a state that is propagating the idea separate but equal treatment under the law can be codified.”

Indeed, a growing number of travelers have said they will avoid the state because of the new law, prompting New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to say, “We’re happy to have those businesses and tourists come here.” The state has already lost the business of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, which decided “moments after” Brewer signed the law to move their upcoming conference from Arizona to another state.

Meanwhile, San Francisco City Supervisor David Campos — himself a former undocumented immigrant from Guatemala — said this morning that he will introduce emergency legislation tomorrow calling for a boycott of Arizona. While Campos needs more time to work out the details, SF Weekly reports his measure is likely to advance.

San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera said he is “fully committed” to the effort, and will help to “identify all applicable contracts, and to pursue termination wherever possible.” He also said his office “stands ready to assist in any legal challenges in whatever way it can.” “Arizona has charted an ominous legal course that puts extremist politics before public safety and betrays our most deeply held American values,” Herrera said.

Tourism is one of Arizona’s biggest industries, but Jon Garrido, a former Tucson economic development official, wrote in the Tucson Citizen that a national boycott is necessary to combat “Jim Crow actions,” even if it causes economic pain.

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Tourists to the state, led by flocks of visitors to the Grand Canyon, brought in $18.5 billion in 2008, and tourism officials are anxious the boycotts will mean a real loss in revenue and tourism jobs.

Debbie Johnson, president of the Arizona hotel and lodging association, said she's heard from about six groups that are going to cancel conventions in the state in protest of the law.

"We're trying to protect the 200,000 families that receive a paycheck from our tourism industry," she said. "In terms of state tax revenue, $1.4 billion dollars. That's a big number when we're talking loss of business."

The Los Angeles city council introduced a proposal yesterday to cut business ties and boycott conventions in the state. At least 12 L.A. city contracts with Arizona add up to $7.2 million. Washington D.C.'s city council is also considering a boycott measure.

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