TN Changes at the Border During a Government Shutdown: What to Know

(UNITED STATES) As the 2025 government shutdown stretches on, TN category changes and employer changes handled through border processing are generally continuing, according to current agency guidance and recent practice. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) treats border inspections and adjudications at ports of entry as essential work, so officers remain on duty. For Canadian professionals entering under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), that means CBP is still reviewing TN applications at land crossings and airports, including requests to change TN category or switch employers at the port of entry.

CBP officers are also continuing to accept initial blanket L status applications submitted by Canadian nationals at the border. While the doors remain open, travelers should expect possible delays if the government shutdown is prolonged or if fee-supported resources tighten.

Why CBP’s status matters

CBP’s essential status keeps a key path available for Canadian nationals who rely on same-day decisions when moving between jobs or shifting into a different TN profession. In normal times, many Canadians prefer the border route for speed and clarity. During a government shutdown, that preference often becomes a lifeline.

However, immigration attorneys caution that processing times at ports can lengthen, and discretionary steps—such as secondary inspections—may take longer due to staffing pressures or shifting priorities.

How other agencies are affected

• USCIS
  • Remains open during a shutdown because it is fee-funded.
  • Handles extensions and changes of status for people inside the U.S., and historically may accept late filings when delays stem from shutdown-related issues.
  • Important: USCIS does not adjudicate applications presented at the border; that remains CBP’s role.
• Department of Labor
  • Pauses during a shutdown.
  • The Labor Condition Application (LCA) system goes offline, blocking employers from filing H‑1B and some other category cases.
  • This pause does not affect TN status, because TN applications do not require an LCA.
• Department of State (Consulates)
  • May scale back to emergency-only visa services.
  • That slowdown does not affect Canadians applying for TN or blanket L status at the border with CBP.

Historical pattern and current expectations

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, past shutdowns show a consistent pattern:
– CBP stays open
– Border processing continues
– Cross-border employment flows, while sometimes slower, do not stop entirely

What varies by event and location is the level of delay and local port practice. In some ports, CBP may direct more cases to secondary inspection. In others, peak-hour lines can stretch while officers balance inspection duties and employment adjudications. Travelers should plan extra time and carry thorough documentation to avoid multiple visits.

The Department of Homeland Security publishes its contingency plan for a lapse in appropriations confirming that many frontline functions—including border inspections—keep going: lapse-appropriations-dhs-contingency-plan.

The plan does not promise normal wait times, but it explains why CBP remains active and why border-based TN filings continue.

Choosing between border processing and USCIS

For Canadian nationals weighing options, the choice often comes down to timing and control:

• Border processing
  • Offers same-day answers for TN category changes or switches to a new TN employer.
  • May involve longer lines or secondary inspections during a shutdown, but remains a practical option for those with immovable start dates.

• USCIS filing (inside the U.S.)
  • Continues for fee-funded cases and may offer flexibility (e.g., accepting late filings tied to shutdown delays).
  • Will not replace or alter CBP’s port-of-entry adjudications.

The two tracks remain separate; applicants should not expect the border to process USCIS paperwork.

Employer and HR considerations

Employers should prepare for ripple effects even if TN border entries continue:

• Shutdowns can create knock-on delays in related steps such as:
  • Onboarding schedules
  • Security checks at busy airports
  • Access to government buildings for new hires
• HR recommendations:
  • Plan for flexible start dates
  • Maintain clear communication with affected staff
  • Issue clear, detailed job letters that map duties to the TN profession (avoid vague titles)

For roles that could be filled by H‑1B or TN workers, the shutdown makes TN especially important because the H‑1B path depends on Department of Labor actions that are paused.

Policy context (legal basis)

• CBP treats inspection and admission as essential to national security and public safety, so those duties continue during a funding lapse. TN adjudications at the port of entry are part of that frontline work.
• CBP also handles initial blanket L status applications by Canadian nationals at designated ports.
• USCIS remains open for its fee-funded work and may offer limited flexibility on filings delayed by a shutdown, but this policy is internal to USCIS and does not affect CBP’s port-of-entry decisions.
• The Department of Labor shutdown effect is direct: no LCA → no new H‑1B filings, whereas TN remains available at the border because it does not require an LCA.
• Department of State consular slowdowns may push more Canadians toward the border route.

Practical guidance for applicants

Two themes matter most: preparation and patience.

• Documents to bring:
  • Job letter detailing duties and start date
  • Proof of qualifications (degrees, certifications)
  • Evidence that the role matches a listed TN profession
  • Any supporting contracts or employer correspondence
• Practical tips:
  • Expect more questions or a higher chance of secondary inspection, especially at peak times.
  • Check local port hours and avoid rush periods when possible.
  • If start dates are tight, cross earlier in the day and allow time for follow-up questions.
  • Employers should provide clear, specific letters mapping duties to the TN classification.

Families should plan for potential delays too: extended inspections can affect spouses and children and ripple through housing, school, and childcare plans. Adding buffer time to schedules can reduce stress.

Key takeaways

• Border processing for TN category changes and employer changes continues during a government shutdown.
• CBP remains open and is handling TN and initial blanket L adjudications at ports of entry.
• USCIS remains open for fee-funded work but does not handle border filings.
• Department of Labor pause stops LCAs and H‑1B filings but does not affect TN at the border.
• Consular slowdowns do not prevent Canadians from using the border route to start or shift jobs in the United States.

Plan ahead, bring complete documentation, expect longer processing at some ports, and coordinate closely with employers to reduce disruption.