NAFTA Renegotiations and the TN Professional

On May 18, 2017, the U.S. Trade Representative informed Congress that President Trump intends to commence negotiations with Canada and Mexico with respect to the North American Free Trade Agreement. On May 23rd, the Office of the United States Trade Representative published notice in the Federal Register, requesting comments on negotiating objectives regarding modernization of NAFTA.

The summary of the notice states that “NAFTA was negotiated more than 25 years ago, and while our economy and U.S. businesses have changed considerably over that period, NAFTA has not. The United States seeks to support higher-paying jobs in the United States and to grow the U.S. economy by improving U.S. opportunities under NAFTA.”

The Notice seeks written comments by June 12, 2017. A hearing will be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 in Washington D.C. Any intent to testify must be submitted by June 12th, 2017.

What do we know?

Trump originally said that he would pull the United States out of NAFTA, wholesale, but it appears advisors have prevailed upon him to renegotiate. America is quite ingrained in trade of all sorts with Canada and Mexico, and an abrupt cessation would be harmful.

Trump is serious about curtailing immigration, legal and illegal, by all indications. He’s also serious about trying to protect the U.S. worker. These facts do not bode well for the TN category as a whole.
The occupation schedule for TNs is roughly 25 years old, and way out of date. There is need for modernizing the schedule, provided such efforts are made in good faith.

Many sectors are impacted by the TN visa. Hospitals rely on the TN to employ nurses, physicians (research/teaching), recreational therapists, physical therapists, pharmacists, medical laboratory technologists, and others. Institutions of higher education use the TN to employ professors. Municipalities use the category to employ urban planners. Several professions in agriculture are represented, including soil scientists, sylviculturists, animal breeders, animal scientists, and horticulturists.

This Administration takes pride in disruption.

Ultimately, I expect many employers will push back on limitations, but there could be much debate. Unions and workers may have much to say. NAFTA involves all sorts of trade issues, and immigration may be pushed to the side, or not given sufficient discussion. There has been a tendency in recent years to limit immigration in trade agreements.

This is an important time for businesses and business organizations to be vocal on this point. Employees in TN status need to pay attention, as the prospective unavailability of a TN needs to at least be considered. Persons with paths to immigrate will need to consider the TNs nonimmigrant requirement, before making any application or traveling abroad.

We’ll keep monitoring developments with NAFTA and the TN professions, and are available to discuss.