Summary
A 55-year-old self-employed subcontractor, holding 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's family ties were a primary focus, including a mother who is an Iranian citizen and U.S. resident, a wife with dual U.S. and Iranian citizenship, and two sisters and a brother residing in Canada. Additionally, one sister is a citizen and resident of Iran.
The applicant's past actions included obtaining an Iranian passport in 2007 after becoming a U.S. citizen and using it to travel to Iran that same year. While the applicant expressed willingness to renounce Iranian citizenship and not renew his expired Iranian passport, mitigating the foreign preference concern, the foreign influence concern remained unmitigated.
The denial was based on strong family ties to Iran, which were deemed to present an unmitigated foreign influence risk. Specific concerns included the applicant's wife's regular travel to Iran and the potential for pressure or coercion arising from these connections. The applicant's past use of an Iranian passport, combined with his family's connections to Iran, was determined to create a heightened risk of foreign exploitation.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant did not present sufficient evidence to mitigate the foreign influence concern due to strong family ties to Iran.
- The applicant's wife regularly travels to Iran, which raises concerns about potential pressure or coercion.
- The applicant's past use of an Iranian passport and family connections to Iran create a heightened risk of foreign exploitation.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 7(a)raisedContact with Foreign Family Members
- AG ¶ 10(a)raisedExercise of Foreign Citizenship Rights
- AG ¶ 11(b)appliedWillingness to Renounce Dual Citizenship
- AG ¶ 11(e)appliedExpired Foreign Passport
- AG ¶ 8(a)rejectedNature of Relationships with Foreign PersonsThe applicant's family ties to Iran were deemed strong enough to pose a risk.
- AG ¶ 8(b)rejectedMinimal Conflict of InterestThe applicant's ties to Iran were considered significant and not minimal.
Key rule quoted
“When an individual acts in such a way as to indicate a preference for a foreign country over the United States, then he or she may be prone to provide information or make decisions that are harmful to the interests of the United States.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedSep 28, 2011
- Answer filedFeb 1, 2012
- Hearing heldMay 2, 2012
- Decision dateJun 18, 2012
Cite for
- Mitigation of Foreign Preference Concerns Under Guideline C
- Impact of Family Ties on Foreign Influence Concerns Under Guideline B
- Consideration of Dual Citizenship in Security Clearance Cases