What the 'America First' Trade Policy Means for Canadian and Mexican TN Workers

Why TN Professionals from Canada and Mexico Are an Asset to U.S. Businesses

With our trade agreements with our North American neighbors Mexico and Canada making headlines, I want to discuss an important question I hear often: Are TN workers from Canada and Mexico taking jobs away from U.S. workers? It’s an understandable concern, but one that deserves a closer look — especially as discussions around immigration policies continue to evolve. Spoiler alert: The data suggests TN professionals aren’t displacing U.S. workers. In fact, they’re filling critical gaps in our workforce and helping businesses thrive.

TN Status: A Quick Overview

Before diving in, let’s cover what TN status is. Created in 1994 through the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), it allows professionals from Canada and Mexico to work in the United States in designated fields. Today, under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), TN status remains intact in the U.S., along with parallel visa programs for American citizens to work in Canada and Mexico.

Currently, there are about 130,000 TN workers in the U.S., all employed in specialized, professional-level occupations including healthcare and engineering. While that might sound like a big number, those TN workers represent only about half a percent of the overall workforce in their eligible occupations.

Addressing the Displacement Myth

Some may worry that the TN visa harms American workers by taking away jobs. However, research tells a different story. A significant number of TN workers are employed in sectors that struggle with critical labor shortages.

Consider these examples:

• Healthcare: Registered nurses and other health professionals are in high demand across the country, with some regions experiencing severe staffing shortages. TN visa holders are helping to meet that need.
• Veterinary Medicine: Did you know veterinarians face one of the lowest unemployment rates of any profession? This makes it incredibly tough for employers to fill open positions. TN workers are stepping in to address this gap.
• STEM and Tech Occupations: Many TN professionals bring cutting-edge expertise in engineering, IT, and other high-skilled fields — areas where American companies often struggle to find qualified candidates.

Rather than replacing American workers, these professionals are supplementing the workforce, enabling businesses to stay competitive and even creating opportunities for U.S.-born employees through company growth. At the same time, thousands of Americans work across the border themselves thanks to the TN visa's corollary programs in Mexico and Canada.

The Impact of Policy Shifts

It’s worth noting that the future of the TN visa program isn’t entirely guaranteed. While the program is written into federal law and can’t simply be eliminated by an executive order, it can still be disrupted. Agencies like the State Department and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), both under the executive branch, play critical roles in issuing visas and admitting foreign workers at ports of entry.

This means shifts in presidential priorities — like Trump’s “America First Trade Policy" Executive Memorandum — could tighten restrictions on TN admissions, even without changing the law itself. For now, the TN program remains a vital resource for U.S. businesses, but ongoing policy changes are something to watch.