Foreign Preference

Foreign Preference

The Concern: When an individual acts in such a way as to indicate a preference for a foreign country over the United States, then he or she may be prone to provide information or make decisions that are harmful to the interests of the United States.

Conditions that could raise a security concern and may be disqualifying include:
1. Exercising dual citizenship,
2. Possessing and/or using a foreign passport,
3. Military service or a willingness to bear arms for a foreign country,
4. Accepting educational, medical, or other benefits, such as retirement and social welfare, from a foreign country,
5. Residence in a foreign country to meet citizenship requirements,
6. Using foreign citizenship to protect financial or business interests in another country,
7. Seeking or holding political office in the foreign country,
8. Voting in foreign elections, or
9. Performing or attempting to perform duties, or otherwise acting, so as to serve the interests of another government in preference to the interests of the United States.

Conditions that could mitigate security concerns include:
1. Dual citizenship is based solely on parents' citizenship or birth in a foreign country;
2. Indicators of possible foreign preference (e.g., foreign military service) occurred before obtaining United States citizenship;
3. Activity is sanctioned by the United States; or
4. Individual has expressed a willingness to renounce dual citizenship.