---
kind: "section"
citation: "32 C.F.R. § 147.5"
title: "32"
number: "147.5"
heading: "Guideline C—Foreign preference."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/32/147.5"
---

# §147.5. Guideline C—Foreign preference.

- (a) **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.
- (b) Conditions that could raise a security concern and may be disqualifying include:
  - (1) The exercise of dual citizenship;
  - (2) Possession and/or use of 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;
  - (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.
- (c) **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;
  - (4) **Individual has expressed a willingness to renounce dual citizenship.**

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: E.O. 12968 (60 FR 40245, 3 CFR 1995 Comp., p 391).

### Source

Source: 63 FR 4573, Jan. 30, 1998, unless otherwise noted.