DHS Issues Joint Statements Announcing Closures of U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico Land Borders

Effective March 21, 2020, the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico land borders will temporarily close to all non-essential (recreational or tourism) travel for at least 30 days. The Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) issued joint statements today formally announcing the closures following President Trump’s statements to the public earlier this week. At the time of this writing, neither joint initiatives provide clarity on whether the closures prohibit TN nonimmigrant workers entering the United States under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) for purposes of new or continued employment. While the statements indicate that essential trade will be permitted, it is unclear if work performed by TN nonimmigrants will be categorized as essential trade.