Trudeau defends move to give U.S. agents more powers in Canada

Two women claiming to be from Yemen have their passports checked by a U.S. border agent before crossing the U.S.-Canada border into Hemmingford, Quebec Canada February 22, 2017. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday defended plans to give more powers to U.S. border agents stationed in Canada, saying travellers would at all times be protected by domestic laws.

As part of a 2015 deal between Canada and the United States, Trudeau's government has introduced draft legislation allowing U.S. border agents based in Canada more leeway to question and search people wishing to enter the United States.