30 Years of the TN Visa: New Data and Trends on TN Professionals in the US Labor Market [Video]

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Trade NAFTA (TN) classification program, which was established in 1994 under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The TN program offers a streamlined pathway for skilled professionals from Canada and Mexico to seek employment in the United States across a spectrum of qualifying occupations. Despite its three decades of existence, there is limited information available about the number and composition of TN professionals in the United States and their impact on the U.S. labor market.

The mobility of talented professionals across borders is often lauded as a key driver of global economic vitality. Indeed, supporters of the TN program emphasize its potential to facilitate cross-border partnerships, foster knowledge exchange, and boost innovation and economic growth within North America. However, like many immigration policies, the TN program faces several challenges and critiques, including concerns over wage suppression, displacement of native-born workers, and …