On November 20, 2017, United States Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum clarifying that the TN
definition of "economists."
Background
On December 17, 1992, the presidents of the United States and
Mexico, and the prime minister of Canada entered into the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA created "special
economic and trade relationships" between these countries.
Under NAFTA, the TN nonimmigrant classification is available to
Canadian and Mexican citizens to temporarily enter the United
States to work in certain professional occupations. These
professional occupations are laid out in NAFTA's Appendix
1603.D.1. to D.3, and the minimum requirements for TN nonimmigrant
status are codified in Section 214.6 of Title 8 of the Code of
Federal Regulations. Pursuant to Section 214.6, the beneficiary of
TN nonimmigrant classification must not only demonstrate that (1)
he or she is a citizen of Canada or Mexico, but must
