Guideline C – Foreign Preference

In the world of national security, perceived divided loyalty can be just as damaging as actual disloyalty. That’s why Guideline C – Foreign Preference exists: to assess whether your actions demonstrate a preference for another country over the United States.

If you’ve held dual citizenship, voted in a foreign election, used a foreign passport, or served in a foreign military, your security clearance could be at risk—even if you’ve always thought of yourself as a loyal American.

At National Security Law Firm, we know how to frame your story in a way that reflects your commitment to the United States. Our attorneys include military veterans, former agency advisors, and national security professionals who understand the nuances of Guideline C—and how to win these cases.

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What Is Guideline C?

Guideline C of the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines focuses on whether your actions show a preference for a foreign country over the United States, particularly when those actions could create doubts about your ability to safeguard classified information.

Examples of behaviors that raise concerns under Guideline C:

• Possession or use of a foreign passport

• Voting in foreign elections

• Accepting dual citizenship and exercising privileges of that citizenship

• Military service in a foreign country

• Accepting benefits (such as health care, education, or financial support) from a foreign government

• Failure to renounce foreign citizenship when required or advised

These actions may appear innocent, especially for naturalized citizens—but in the clearance world, they must be addressed head-on and mitigated effectively.

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Real-World Hypotheticals – Could This Be You?

• Scenario 1: A naturalized U.S. citizen keeps their Israeli passport to visit family overseas and uses it to enter the country.

• Scenario 2: A tech worker holds dual citizenship with Germany and recently voted in a German parliamentary election.

• Scenario 3: An applicant previously served two years in the South Korean military before immigrating to the U.S.

• Scenario 4: A clearance applicant receives retirement benefits from a foreign country they once worked in.

• Scenario 5: A U.S. citizen born abroad never formally renounced their foreign citizenship—and now questions are being raised.

These scenarios are common—and often fixable. The key is in how you respond.

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What the Government Looks For

Security clearance adjudicators will assess:

• Whether you’ve exercised privileges of foreign citizenship (e.g., voting, travel on foreign passport)

• Whether you’ve formally renounced foreign citizenship, when appropriate

• Whether the foreign country is friendly or hostile to U.S. interests

• Whether your actions appear voluntary and ongoing

• Whether you’re susceptible to influence or divided loyalty

• Whether you’ve complied with U.S. government advice (such as surrendering foreign passports)

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How National Security Law Firm Can Help

Guideline C cases are often misunderstood, especially by applicants who are dual citizens or have strong cultural ties to their country of origin. We’re here to clear the confusion and protect your clearance.

Here’s how we help:

✅ Review and revise your SF-86 for strategic, accurate disclosures
✅ Prepare compelling SOR responses, supported by legal precedent and documentation
✅ Develop detailed mitigation strategies to show your loyalty to the United States
✅ Help you navigate issues of foreign passport surrender, renunciation, and compliance
✅ Represent you at DOHA hearings or agency appeals with a clear, confident defense
✅ Position your background as a strength, not a security concern

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Flat Fee Security Clearance Pricing

• SF-86 Review: $950

• LOI Response: $3,500

• SOR Response: $5,000 (includes $3,000 LOI credit)

• DOHA Hearing: $7,500 (includes travel)

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Mitigating Factors for Guideline C Concerns

If Guideline C concerns are raised, here’s what can help mitigate them:

• You have formally renounced foreign citizenship.

• You have surrendered or destroyed your foreign passport.

• Your actions were required by law in the foreign country (e.g., mandatory military service).

• You have demonstrated a clear preference for U.S. citizenship, such as voting in U.S. elections, residing in the U.S., or working in federal service.

• Your conduct occurred long ago or under unique circumstances unlikely to recur.

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Frequently Asked Questions – Guideline C

Is dual citizenship disqualifying?
Not automatically. What matters is whether you’ve exercised rights of that foreign citizenship. Many dual citizens hold clearances—if they handle the situation properly.

Can I use my foreign passport for travel?
No. Using a foreign passport after becoming a U.S. citizen is a major red flag. If you have one, you must surrender it—and we can help you do so correctly.

Do I need to formally renounce my other citizenship?
It depends. In many cases, formally renouncing citizenship (especially in non-ally countries) is strongly recommended or even necessary. We can help assess your situation.

What if I accepted benefits from a foreign country?
Receiving benefits (like health care, education, or retirement) from a foreign government can raise flags. We’ll evaluate how to frame or mitigate that information.

Is military service in another country disqualifying?
Only if it suggests preference or allegiance. If the service was required, brief, and happened before you became a U.S. citizen, we may be able to mitigate it effectively.

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🔍 Want the Full Playbook?

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🛡️ Why Choose NSLF?

At National Security Law Firm, we’re not your average clearance attorneys—we’re the elite unit for national security representation:

• Every case is reviewed by our internal attorney board
• Staffed by former DOHA attorneys, Security Threat Assessment experts, and military lawyers
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• SF-86 Review: $950 flat fee
• Letter of Interrogatory (LOI) Response: $3,500 flat fee
  This covers everything you need to respond and start defending your clearance.
• Statement of Reasons (SOR): $5,000 flat fee
  Already paid for your LOI response? You’ll get a $3,000 credit applied here.
• Hearing Representation: $7,500 flat fee (includes all travel)
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