Summary
A 44-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen and software engineer, originally from Iran, was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence), Guideline C (Foreign Preference), and Guideline E (Personal Conduct). The denial primarily stemmed from unmitigated foreign influence risks associated with her family ties in Iran.
The Statement of Reasons cited that her sister, grandmother, and aunt are Iranian citizens residing in Iran, and her parents hold dual U.S. and Iranian citizenship. Her brother is also an Iranian citizen, though he was residing at a U.S. university. The applicant had traveled to Iran in April 2002 and May 1996. Additionally, she renewed her Iranian passport in November 2003 after becoming a U.S. citizen and used it for travel to and from Iran in April 2002. A personal conduct issue arose from her false answer on a security clearance application in April 2006 regarding foreign travel.
While the applicant mitigated foreign preference issues related to her Iranian passport use, the judge found insufficient evidence to alleviate the risks posed by her familial connections in Iran. The hostile relationship between the Iranian government and the U.S., coupled with Iran's human rights record, heightened concerns that her family members in Iran could be subject to manipulation or pressure by Iranian authorities, leading to the denial of her security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant failed to mitigate foreign influence concerns due to family ties in Iran.
- The Iranian government's hostile relationship with the U.S. and its poor human rights record heightened security risks.
- The applicant's family members in Iran could be subject to manipulation or pressure by Iranian authorities.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 7.aappliedContact with a Foreign Family Member, Business or Professional Associate, Friend, or Other Person Who Is a Citizen of or Resident in a Foreign Country If That Contact Creates a Heightened Risk of Foreign Exploitation, Inducement, Manipulation, Pressure, or Coercion.
- AG ¶ 7.dappliedSharing Living Quarters with a Person or Persons, Regardless of Citizenship Status, If That Relationship Creates a Heightened Risk of Foreign Inducement, Manipulation, Pressure, or Coercion.
- AG ¶ 8.arejectedThe Nature of the Relationships with Foreign Persons, the Country in Which These Persons Are Located, or the Positions or Activities of Those Persons in That Country Are Such That It Is Unlikely the Individual Will Be Placed in a Position of Having to Choose Between the Interests of the Foreign Individual, Group, Organization, or Government and Interests of the U.S.Insufficient evidence was presented to conclude that the applicant would not be placed in a position of having to choose between her family and U.S. interests.
- AG ¶ 8.crejectedContact or Communication with Foreign Citizens Is so Casual and Infrequent That There Is Little Likelihood That It Could Create a Risk of Foreign Influence or Exploitation.The presumption of non-casual contact with immediate family members was not rebutted.
Key Rule Quoted
“Family contacts and ties with persons in a foreign country are not automatically disqualifying but require the applicant to present evidence in mitigation and extenuation that show she qualifies for a security clearance.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 13, 2007
- Answer filedAug 27, 2007
- Hearing heldNov 14, 2007
- Decision dateDec 31, 2007
Cite For
- Foreign Influence Concerns Due to Family Ties Under Guideline B
- Mitigation Challenges Related to Foreign Contacts and Preferences
- The Impact of Foreign Government Relations on Security Clearance Determinations