Summary
The applicant, a 29-year-old systems engineer and U.S. citizen originally from Jordan, faced security concerns under Guidelines B (Foreign Influence) and C (Foreign Preference) due to family ties in Jordan and Syria and the use of a Jordanian passport. The judge granted the security clearance, finding that the applicant's minimal connections to foreign relatives and his willingness to renounce his Jordanian citizenship mitigated the concerns.
Under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign Preference), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: You have parents who are dual citizens of the United States and Jordan (1.a). You have a brother who is a citizen of Jordan (1.b). You have a sister who is a dual citizen of the United States and Jordan (1.c). You have one uncle and three aunts who are citizens of and reside in Jordan, and you have four uncles who are citizens of and reside in Syria (1.d). You renewed your Jordanian passport in December 2006 (2.a). You used your Jordanian passport in lieu of your U.S. passport when you traveled to Jordan in July 2008 (2.b).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 7(a), AG ¶ 7(b), AG ¶ 10(a)(1). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 8(b), AG ¶ 8(c), AG ¶ 11(b), AG ¶ 11(e). The decision turned on the following: The applicant demonstrated minimal loyalty to Jordan and strong ties to the U.S; He expressed willingness to renounce his Jordanian citizenship if necessary; The applicant's contact with foreign relatives was infrequent and casual.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant demonstrated minimal loyalty to Jordan and strong ties to the U.S.
- He expressed willingness to renounce his Jordanian citizenship if necessary.
- The applicant's contact with foreign relatives was infrequent and casual.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 7(a)raisedContact with Foreign Family MembersContact with foreign family members creates a heightened risk of foreign exploitation.
- AG ¶ 7(b)raisedConnections to Foreign PersonsConnections to foreign persons create a potential conflict of interest.
- AG ¶ 10(a)(1)raisedExercise of Foreign Citizenship RightsPossession of a current foreign passport indicates a preference for a foreign country.
- AG ¶ 8(b)appliedMinimal Conflict of InterestThe applicant's loyalty to the U.S. is deep and longstanding.
- AG ¶ 8(c)appliedCasual Contact with Foreign CitizensThe applicant's contact with foreign relatives is virtually non-existent.
- AG ¶ 11(b)appliedWillingness to Renounce CitizenshipThe applicant expressed willingness to renounce his Jordanian citizenship.
- AG ¶ 11(e)appliedDestruction of Foreign PassportThe applicant destroyed his Jordanian passport.
Key Rule Quoted
“"Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the AG."”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 19, 2012
- Answer filedOct 12, 2012
- Hearing heldJan 14, 2013
- Decision dateFeb 5, 2013
Cite For
- Mitigating Factors for Foreign Influence Under Guideline B
- Mitigating Factors for Foreign Preference Under Guideline C
- Consideration of Family Ties in Security Clearance Determinations