Summary
A 35-year-old U.S. citizen and defense contractor, holding dual citizenship through his Israeli parents, was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign Preference). The applicant obtained an Israeli passport in 2004, using it to enter Israel that same year, and renewed it in 2006, with its expiration set for 2014.
The Statement of Reasons highlighted that the applicant's actions in obtaining and using the Israeli passport, and his failure to mitigate the security concerns arising from his recognition of Israeli citizenship, were disqualifying. Although the applicant expressed a willingness to renounce his dual citizenship, he took no concrete steps to do so.
The judge determined that the applicant's exercise of Israeli citizenship by obtaining and using an Israeli passport raised unmitigated security concerns under both Foreign Preference and Foreign Influence guidelines. Consequently, the security clearance was denied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant exercised his right of Israeli citizenship by obtaining and using an Israeli passport.
- Applicant's actions raised security concerns under both Foreign Preference and Foreign Influence guidelines.
- Applicant expressed a willingness to renounce his Israeli citizenship but took no action to follow through.
Conditions Referenced
- FP DC 10(a)raisedExercise of Any Right, Privilege or Obligation of Foreign Citizenship After Becoming a U.S. Citizen
- FP DC 10(b)raisedAction to Acquire or Obtain Recognition of a Foreign Citizenship by an American Citizen
- FI DC 7(a)appliedContact with a Foreign Family Member, Business or Professional Associate, Friend, or Other Person Who Is a Citizen of or Resident in a Foreign Country
- FI DC 7(b)appliedConnections to a Foreign Person, Group, Government, or Country That Create a Potential Conflict of Interest
- FP MC 11(a)appliedDual Citizenship Is Based Solely on Parents’ Citizenship or Birth in a Foreign Country
- FP MC 11(b)appliedThe Individual Has Expressed a Willingness to Renounce Dual Citizenship
- FP MC 11(e)rejectedThe Passport Has Been Destroyed, Surrendered to the Cognizant Security Authority, or Otherwise InvalidatedThe passport was not invalidated and could be returned to the applicant at any time.
- FI MC 8(a)appliedThe Nature of the Relationships with Foreign Persons Is Such That It Is Unlikely the Individual Will Be Placed in a Position of Having to Choose Between Interests
- FI MC 8(b)rejectedThere Is No Conflict of Interest Due to Minimal Loyalty to Foreign PersonsApplicant's actions to obtain recognition of his Israeli citizenship negate this condition.
Key Rule Quoted
“[N]o one has a ‘right’ to a security clearance.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedDec 28, 2006
- Answer filedJan 31, 2007
- Hearing heldMay 2, 2007
- Decision dateJun 29, 2007
Cite For
- Security Concerns Related to Dual Citizenship Under Guideline C
- Impact of Foreign Preference on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Criteria for Evaluating Foreign Influence in Security Clearance Cases