Does the Senate immigration bill essentially give Mexico veto power over our border fences? Hearing this from several readers and sources. Reader Greg writes:

Senator Cornyn gave Lou Dobbs a statement saying the last-minute Amendment SA 41[8]8 says Mexico must be consulted before any fence is constructed.

From F/R thread:

I heard this on Sean Hannity’s Fox Radio broadcast a short while ago and just now on “Lou Dobbs Tonight” on CNN:

Arlen Specter, according to Congressman John Kyl of Arizona, slipped a provision into the Immigration Bill the Senate passed today requiring the U.S. to consult with Mexico BEFORE building a wall in any area along the border.

I’m checking into it. If anyone has more specific info, please send along. Update: It’s Dem Sen. Chris Dodd’s amendment included in Specter’s manager’s package that passed.

The Senate by Cboldt blog reports:

UPDATE @ 17:16 - Senator Specter notes that the managers package is ready for a vote, he says that it (the package) makes making sausage look good. Senator Kyl asks to speak for one minute on the managers amendment. He says it has been in busy negotiations, right up until now. Federal, state and local entities in the US would be required to consult with Mexican government before building a wall. I predict this amendment, S.Amdt.4188, will pass. Off to find the language that Senator Kyl referred to.

UPDATE @ 17:23 - Found it. Senator Dodd talked against a fence on May 18, and his S.Amdt.4089 contains the following language:

(b) CONSULTATION REQUIREMENT.–Consultations between United States and Mexican authorities at the federal, state, and local levels concerning the construction of additional fencing and related border security structures along the United States-Mexico border shall be undertaken prior to commencing any new construction, in order to solicit the views of affected communities, lessen tensions and foster greater understanding and stronger cooperation on this and other important issues of mutual concern.

UPDATE @ 17:40 - Bonus prediction (the managers’ amendment), now four for four. Senator Frist voted against the managers’ amendment, for what it’s worth.

S.Amdt.4188 - Specter: Managers’ amendment, a collection of amendments, including Dodd’s S.Amdt.4089 that requires local, state and federal governments to consult with Mexican counterpart authorities before commencing new construction, was PASSED on a 56 - 41 vote.

Republicans who voted for the Mexican consultation requirement:

Bennett, Bond, Brownback, Chafee, Coleman, Collins, Craig, Graham, Hagel, Lugar, Feingold, Collins, McCain, Specter, Stevens, Warner, Martinez, Murkowski, Snowe and Voinovich

Dems who voted against:

Lincoln

***

LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa exercises some preemptive consultation powers:

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa warned Thursday that federal plans to use more troops and barriers to tighten security on the nation’s southern border could hurt the city’s attempts to increase trade and tourism with Mexico.

“There’s no question that putting up a wall, assigning the National Guard, could have a chilling effect on tourism, the relationship between the two countries, economic ties,” the mayor told reporters on the eve of his meeting with Mexican President Vicente Fox.

“Our economies are much more intertwined than most people really understand,” the mayor said. “The benefits to both countries are great.”

Villaraigosa’s concern with potential economic fallout came on the day the Senate authorized 370 miles of new, triple-layered fencing and 500 miles of vehicle barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border as part of a sweeping immigration bill. The vote opens the way for negotiations with the House.

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