Summary
A 24-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen, originally from Russia, was denied a security clearance under Guidelines B (Foreign Influence) and C (Foreign Preference). The applicant maintained dual citizenship with Russia and possessed a valid Russian passport, which she had recently renewed and intended to use for future travel. She had visited Russia in 1998, 1999, 2004, and 2007, primarily to visit her elderly grandparents.
The Statement of Reasons highlighted that the applicant's father, maternal grandparents, paternal grandmother, aunt, uncle, and cousin are all citizens and residents of Russia. Several of these relatives hold or have held positions with the Russian government. The judge found that these family ties, particularly her grandparents' dependency on the Russian government and her father's residency in Russia, created a heightened risk of foreign influence and preference.
Although the applicant expressed a willingness to renounce her Russian citizenship, this offer was deemed conditional and insufficient to mitigate the security concerns. Consequently, the applicant's close family ties in Russia, her dual citizenship, and her continued possession and intended use of a Russian passport led to the denial of her security clearance application.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant maintained dual citizenship with Russia and a valid Russian passport, which she intended to use for future travel.
- The applicant's close ties to family members in Russia, including her grandparents and relatives with government connections, raised security concerns under both guidelines.
- The applicant's expressed willingness to renounce her Russian citizenship was conditional and insufficient to mitigate the concerns.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 7(a)raisedContact with Foreign Family Members
- AG ¶ 7(b)raisedConnections to Foreign Persons That Create Potential Conflict of Interest
- AG ¶ 10(a)raisedPossession of a Current Foreign Passport
- AG ¶ 11(a)rejectedDual Citizenship Based Solely on Parents' Citizenship or Birth in a Foreign Country
- AG ¶ 11(c)rejectedExercise of Rights of Foreign Citizenship Occurred Before U.S. Citizenship
- AG ¶ 11(b)rejectedWillingness to Renounce Dual Citizenship
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon an applicant meeting the criteria contained in the revised adjudicative guidelines (AG).”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issued2009-00-00Exact date undetermined
- Answer filedAug 1, 2009
- Hearing held2009-00-00Decided on written record
- Decision dateDec 15, 2009
Cite For
- Security Concerns Related to Dual Citizenship Under Guideline C
- Impact of Familial Ties on Security Clearance Eligibility Under Guideline B
- Conditional Willingness to Renounce Citizenship as Insufficient for Mitigation