Summary
A 29-year-old consultant with dual U.S. and Iranian citizenship was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign Preference). The applicant maintained close and continuing contacts with her sister and grandmother in Iran, evidenced by regular telephone contact and travel to Iran in December 2004 and December 2006, with stated intent for future travel. Her sister is an Iranian citizen employed by a government-owned petroleum company. The applicant's mother is a U.S. legal permanent resident eligible for citizenship next year, and her fiancé is also a U.S. legal permanent resident.
Further concerns arose from the applicant's use of an Iranian passport, obtained in November 2000 and extended in January 2006, which she used for travel to Iran. She also accepted educational benefits from Iran available only to Iranian citizens and voted in Iranian elections. A significant factor in the denial was her expressed unwillingness to renounce her Iranian citizenship or destroy her Iranian passport.
The judge determined that the applicant's connections to Iran, including her intent to travel there and her unwillingness to renounce her Iranian citizenship, posed an unacceptable risk to national security. The applicant's dual citizenship, travel to Iran, close family ties, and use of an Iranian passport indicated a potential for coercion by Iranian authorities and a preference for a foreign nation over the United States.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant maintained dual citizenship and expressed unwillingness to renounce her Iranian citizenship, which raised security concerns.
- The applicant's travel to Iran and close family ties there presented a potential risk of coercion by Iranian authorities.
- The applicant's use of an Iranian passport and acceptance of educational benefits from Iran indicated a preference for a foreign nation over the United States.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 6(a)raisedForeign Influence
- AG ¶ 7(a)raisedForeign Preference
Key Rule Quoted
“The government has a compelling interest in ensuring those entrusted with this nation's secrets will make decisions free of concerns for the foreign country of which they may also be a citizen.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 13, 2008
- Answer filedApr 15, 2008
- Hearing heldJun 5, 2008
- Decision dateJun 30, 2008
Cite For
- Security Concerns Regarding Dual Citizenship Under Guideline C
- Impact of Foreign Family Ties on Security Clearance Under Guideline B
- Government's Compelling Interest in National Security Regarding Foreign Influence and Preference