Does the federal government employ dual citizens?

Answer 1

While Dual Citizenship can be convenient when traveling between countries, it complicates things when looking for jobs within the federal government as most Federal jobs require United States citizenship.

Let's face it. Federal employment is geared toward U.S. citizens and the federal government gives strong priority (by law) to hiring U.S. nationals. However, dual U.S. citizens may be hired in certain circumstances. Although U.S. policy generally disfavors the holding of dual citizenship, such a policy has not served as authority for affording dual citizens as a class fewer benefits or privileges than are given to those who are sole U.S. citizens.

But let's not forget security clearances. If the job requires a security clearance, how your husband has held or exercised his dual citizenship status may be incorporated as one of many factors to be considered in decisions to grant or withhold security clearances for employment. So if a security clearance is a condition of employment, then it becomes even more difficult as any person requiring a background check must be absolutely free of foreign influence.

Typically, the issue of dual citizenship surfaces with the security clearance process and all Air Force officers maintain at least a "Secret" clearance. So the fact that your husband entered and even graduated from the Air Force Academy without renouncing his dual citizenship is highly unusual. Perhaps it was a clerical error and/or oversight, but now you've run into the real bureaucracy and it looks like they are giving you the low down and trying their best to keep him as a candidate for this position.

While it may not make sense on the surface, there are a few advantages to being a U.S. citizen and that is federal employment. So if this is his dream job then weigh the benefits of the dual citizenship vs. becoming a sole U.S. citizen.