What You Need to Know About Security Clearance Guideline C

The topic of national security clearance is taken gravely each time it comes into question here in the United States. The government and its many agencies has its reasons for keeping certain information away from the public, and it will take great strides to ensure it remains that way. In part three of this multipart blog series, we discuss Guideline C: Foreign Preference.

Do You Like the Neighbors More Than Us?

So much of security clearance is concerned with foreign affairs. Allies and enemies beyond our borders should only know the details and secrets of our government if that is the will of the higher command. To this end, someone who acts or speaks in a way that shows a preference for a foreign country over the United States of America will not be given security clearance, at even low levels.

Disqualifying conditions in Guideline C include:

• Actively exercised dual citizenship.
• Frequent or questionable use of a foreign passport.
• Bearing military arms for a foreign country.
• Seeking or using any benefits from a foreign country.
• Meeting dual citizenship requirements through foreign residence.
• Acute interest in foreign political offices, including voting.
• Any other act that puts a foreign country before the USA.

Proving You Prefer the States

A security clearance denial due to questionable preferences as outlined in Guideline C does not mean you cannot gain national security clearance. You may still have a chance to appeal for a secondary review. Within this appeal, your focus should be proving in clear language and abundant evidence that your priorities are the wellbeing of the United States before any other country.

You may be able to reduce security clearance concerns if you:

• Gained dual citizenship due to your parents’ own citizenships.
• Dealt with foreign preferences before gaining U.S. citizenship.
• Engaged in U.S. sanctioned activities with foreign entities.
• Are willing to renounce your own dual citizenship.

Proving that you should be granted national security clearance can be a difficult task, especially if you have been denied once already. The agents or organizations reviewing your claim may be skeptical to believe your secondary arguments, fearing that you truly do prefer a foreign country over the United States. In order to show your allegiance and eligibility for the security clearance you are seeking, retaining the services of The Edmunds Law Firm and our security clearance attorney can help. We have successfully managed numerous security clearance cases for all sorts of individuals, including military members and White House staff.

When foreign preference concerns overlap with past military service or discharge issues, working with a discharge upgrade lawyer can strengthen your case by addressing those underlying factors during the appeal.

Contact us today for more information about how we can help you gain national security clearance.