Foreign Influence

The government’s concern is that the applicant has divided loyalties to the United States and to another country, group or organization. The concern may be based on a relatively minor matter.

Things that are considered under this guideline include:

• dual citizenship, especially if an American citizen seeks to acquire or obtain recognition of a foreign citizenship
• serving the interests of a foreign person, group, organization or government in conflict with the national security interest
• seeking or holding political office in a foreign country or voting in a foreign election
• ownership or use of a foreign passport, even if it is approved by the cognizant security authority or has been destroyed, surrendered or invalidated
• accepting educational, medical, retirement, social welfare or other such benefits from a foreign country

The concern is 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.

This guideline, as well as others, have mitigating conditions that can be used by a skilled and knowledgeable attorney such as Alan V. Edmunds. With proper representation, case preparation, submission of documentary evidence and presentation of compelling oral testimony, a security clearance denial can often be overcome. Experience matters, and The Edmunds Law Firm has the experience to help.