Summary
The applicant, a 51-year-old U.S. citizen, faced security concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign Preference) due to her previous dual citizenship with Lebanon and her relationship with a Jordanian national. The applicant successfully mitigated these concerns by renouncing her Lebanese citizenship, surrendering her Lebanese passport, and demonstrating strong ties to the U.S. through her financial stability and family connections. The judge granted her eligibility for a security clearance.
Under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign Preference), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant maintains regular contact with her partner’s siblings, including one brother and his wife who are citizens and residents of Jordan and one sister who is a Jordanian citizen and resident of Israel (SOR ¶1.e) (2.e). Applicant maintains an interest in her partner’s Jordanian bank account (SOR ¶ 1.a) (1.a).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 10(a), AG ¶ 7(a), AG ¶ 7(b), AG ¶ 7(d). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 11(b), AG ¶ 11(e). The decision turned on the following: Applicant renounced her Lebanese citizenship and surrendered her Lebanese passport, demonstrating a commitment to the U.S; She has no current ties to foreign nationals that would create a risk of foreign influence; Strong character references supported her loyalty to the United States.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- Applicant renounced her Lebanese citizenship and surrendered her Lebanese passport, demonstrating a commitment to the U.S.
- She has no current ties to foreign nationals that would create a risk of foreign influence.
- Strong character references supported her loyalty to the United States.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 10(a)raisedPossession of a Current Foreign Passport
- AG ¶ 7(a)raisedContact with a Foreign Family Member
- AG ¶ 7(b)raisedConnections to a Foreign Person
- AG ¶ 7(d)raisedSharing Living Quarters with a Foreign National
- AG ¶ 11(b)appliedWillingness to Renounce Dual Citizenship
- AG ¶ 11(e)appliedPassport Surrendered to Security Authority
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the AG.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 24, 2015
- Answer filedNov 9, 2015
- Hearing heldMar 2, 2017
- Decision dateApr 25, 2017
Cite For
- Mitigation of Foreign Influence Concerns Under Guideline B
- Mitigation of Foreign Preference Concerns Under Guideline C
- Impact of Renouncing Foreign Citizenship on Security Clearance Eligibility