Summary
A 26-year-old dual citizen of the United States and Iran was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign Preference). The applicant had indicated a willingness to renounce his Iranian citizenship and surrender his Iranian passport but failed to do so. This failure, coupled with his retention of Iranian citizenship, was found to indicate a preference for Iran over the United States.
Specific allegations included the applicant's application for and issuance of an Iranian passport on April 28, 2000, which he then used to travel to and from Iran between June and September 2000. While the applicant's grandmothers, previously Iranian citizens and residents, have since moved to the United States, he maintains a boyhood friend who is an Iranian citizen and resident, teaching English at an Iranian institution. The applicant last communicated with this friend one and a half years ago, typically speaking with him twice a year.
The judge determined that the applicant's continued retention of Iranian citizenship and his Iranian passport, despite opportunities to renounce them, raised significant security concerns regarding foreign preference. Additionally, his ties to a friend residing in Iran contributed to concerns about potential foreign influence and coercion. Consequently, the applicant's trustworthiness determination was denied.
Why the applicant was denied
- Applicant retained his Iranian citizenship and passport, indicating a preference for Iran over the United States.
- He failed to renounce his Iranian citizenship or surrender his Iranian passport despite being given the opportunity to do so.
- The applicant's ties to a friend in Iran raised concerns about potential foreign influence and coercion.
Conditions referenced
- DC 10(a)appliedExercise of Rights and Privileges of Foreign Citizenship
- DC 7(a)appliedContact with a Foreign Citizen
Key rule quoted
“The standard that must be met for . . . assignment to sensitive duties is that, based on all available information, the person's loyalty, reliability, and trustworthiness are such that . . . assigning the person to sensitive duties is clearly consistent with the interests of national security.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedJan 25, 2007
- Answer filedFeb 20, 2007Applicant's response to SOR allegations.
- Hearing heldJun 13, 2007Conducted in San Jose, California.
- Decision dateJul 19, 2007
Cite for
- Foreign Preference Concerns Under Guideline C
- Foreign Influence Considerations Under Guideline B
- Impact of Dual Citizenship on Security Clearance Eligibility