Canada

The U.S. Congress is being asked to adopt legislation that could lead to Canada and the United States further integrating their enforcement of the border — including allowing U.S. officers to more freely operate on Canadian soil.

House Resolution 5518, introduced by New York Republican Rep. Nicholas Langworthy, calls on U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to “negotiate or amend existing agreements with the Government of Canada, as appropriate, for integrated cross-border aerial, maritime and land law enforcement operations.”

The bill also calls for U.S. officers to operate in Canada, and for Canadian officers to operate in the U.S., "for the purpose of enhancing border security or law enforcement co-operation or operations, including for the purposes of conducting operations in the land, air and maritime domain.”

The text does not make it clear whether this could allow U.S. officers to operate in Canada unaccompanied by a Canadian official. Langworthy’s office has not yet granted an interview with the congressman nor answered questions sent by CBC News last week.

While some U.S. officers currently work at Canadian airports, Langworthy's bill could see their ability to operate in Canada increase significantly.

Langworthy’s bill is co-sponsored by 13 Republican members of the House of Representatives including upstate New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, part of congressional leadership and considered a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump.