Attn: All Canadians who work in the US: TN Visas will no longer be available to IB Analysts - New Regulations
This policy memorandum (PM) clarifies that for an applicant to qualify for TN status based on
work in the profession of economist, the applicant must engage in activities consistent with the
profession of economist. Activities that constitute a broad range of other professions related to
economics, such as activity performed by financial analysts, market research analysts, and
marketing specialists do not qualify for TN status.
Look, I read through this carefully and talked to my lawyer today.
If you are on TN Visa, you should be okay for now.
If you need to get on a visa, you must state that your "PRIMARY" duty is as an economist, but you can state that "Secondary" duty may involve the duties of a financial analyst. Ie. make sure to talk your lawyer to ensure your letter states it 100%.
I think people are overreacting to this news, the laws are the same, UCIS has had this policy for many years for computer programmers who work on TN Category "Computer System analyst". A computer system analyst's PRIMARY duty is to analyze systems, not program, even though they may still program as a secondary duty.
Now, there are thousands of programmers who get visas as system analysts, even though all they do is program, and don't analyze systems at all, but smart lawyers can draft a letter that describes their duties as system analyst, and when CBP asks what their primary duty is they respond it is analyzing systems not programming.
TL:DR No laws have been changed, USCIS will be scrunitizing more, but the way around this issue is to have your lawyer draft a letter that emphasizes your primary duty is economist and secondary duty is financial analyst, and you will be okay.