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I've heard that NAFTA provides an easier immigration process for employees in a NAFTA country (Canada or Mexico). How does that work, and what are the limitations and trade-offs of this method, if any?

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The TN process can be very quick and easy but it's definitely getting a lot tougher and the outcome oftentimes really depends on the NAFTA occupation - some are straightforward and some aren't - and, as a general rule, it's easier to get a TN as a Mexican citizen than as a Canadian citizen.

As a Canadian I got my TN at the port of entry. I've talked to Mexican nationals who said they had to go to a consular and pass an interview before getting their TN.

Unless this has changed recently, this comment is not true.

I read @proberts comment to say Mexicans are more successful than Canadians at getting TN visas. That the Mexican process is more onorous does not necessarily influence the outcomes. Maybe, that a Canadian TN application is solely decided at the border works against it.

Unfortunately AFAIK there are no published statistics for TN approval rates.

It might also be worth noting that TN is not a dual intent visa like H1B.

IANAL.

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