As President Donald Trump promised, there would be a lot of changes with the new administration. Perhaps the most controversial policies pertain to immigration and trade laws, something that liberals were most afraid of.
Essentially, during his previous term, President Trump made changes to the NAFTA deal, completely reworking it and renaming it the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement). While the USMCA retained the TN visa option for Mexican and Canadian workers, there have been some major changes to eligibility.
In other words, the US government started a much stricter vetting process for anyone entering the country. Given that this was done in 2020, many critics were concerned whether these policies would become even more one-sided if he were to be elected in the future.
Understanding USMCA and TV Visas
As mentioned, TN visas were first introduced with the NAFTA agreement and were transferred to USMCA. These visas regulate temporary workers from Mexico and Canada, from a set of approved professions. For example, they are mainly used by scientists, engineers, and healthcare experts.
Although Trump is openly talking about immigration restrictions, the process of acquiring a TN visa hasn’t changed much. While some other NAFTA articles underwent significant revisions with the introduction of USMCA, the US stance on highly skilled experts has remained unchanged. In other words, the country welcomes foreign nurses, which makes sense given the major deficits in the profession.
However, that doesn’t mean that the requirements for the TN visa won’t change in the near future. With the introduction of the America First Trade Policy, the US representatives are reviewing all the past trade deals with other countries.
The good news is that even if the US decides to make changes to TN visa requirements, it can’t do so without consulting Canada and Mexico. Any alterations to the deal would require further negotiation, which might even lead to more favorable terms for foreign nurses.
Adjustments to the Current Compliance
As the name implies, America First Trade Policies aims to renegotiate various deals, policies, and tariffs to make them more beneficial for the US. Here is how the new stance might affect TN visa applications and requirements:
- Stricter Application: Trump was adamant about stopping illegal immigration. So, the new administration is doing its best to increase oversight and the vetting process. As a result, the number of documents foreign nurses require will likely increase. The US side might require stricter qualification and eligibility checks, as well as job verification.
- Employer Accountability: To ensure everything is in accordance with the law, the current regime will conduct more thorough employer checks. Healthcare organizations that take shortcuts during onboarding may undergo additional audits. It shouldn’t be shocking if we see higher penalties for businesses.
- Extended Processing Times: In the past, getting a TN visa was a rather straightforward process. Unfortunately, with all these reviews and new documents, there’s a chance that processing times will be extended, which would be negative for both employers and employees.
The Results of America First Trade Policy
Although many critics believe that the America First Trade Policy was written overnight, this executive order is actually quite comprehensive. Besides immigration policies, it also includes various trade agreements between the three North American countries.
Some of the more important facts regarding the USMCA and the TN visa are as follows:
- Trade Deficits: The Trump administration has enacted numerous laws and tariff changes in order to tackle trade deficits. According to the President, the US people will be victims of many unfair trade practices. Although immigration policies haven’t been directly impacted, there’s a chance they will be affected by cascading, secondary effects.
- USMCA Review: Despite high hopes from the America First Trade Policy, the current administration is cautious of the potential backlash. They are continuously revising their impact to have a better understanding of how it would affect the US workers. While the current immigration policies appear sound, there’s a chance they may be revised to align with the current government’s objectives.
- Increased Oversight: Another thing that may happen as a result of the recent policy changes is the increased oversight of immigration policies. Specifically, the Trump administration is concerned that TN visas will displace American workers, in which case, the government will need to take action.
Potential Changes Ahead
Healthcare workers can expect quite a few changes in the upcoming months. So, if you’re a Canadian or Mexican looking to work in the US, here are a few things you must keep in mind:
- Check the Latest Updates: The upcoming months could be turbulent in terms of potential visa changes. It is wise to stay on top of the latest news so you know whether requirements and necessary documents have changed.
- Get Relevant Documentation: Given that the vetting process will be stricter in the future, it is a good idea to compile as many documents regarding your professional and educational background. Get all the relevant documents ahead of time so you don’t have to go back and forth with US representatives.
- Consult Immigration Experts: Having an experienced lawyer who specializes in immigration policies could make the entire process that much smoother. Not only will hiring a lawyer help you stay on top of recent changes, but you’ll also learn how things go in practice.
- Be Flexible: If you’re under a contract in Mexico or Canada, you must plan the immigration several months ahead. Keep in mind that the processing times might be longer in the future, so you shouldn’t make any commitments while preparing the documents.
Immigration for Nurses: Last Thoughts
Soon enough, we’ll understand if there are any major changes to the TN visa policies. If you’re a Mexican or Canadian nurse, we recommend that you stay on top of all the updates so you know what to expect.
Another great solution is to hire a nurse recruitment agency. Although these companies charge their clients a fee, they will streamline the entire process, helping you get to the US as fast as possible.