Summary
A 54-year-old U.S. citizen and senior systems analyst was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign Preference). The applicant had significant familial ties in Iran, a country identified as hostile to the U.S. Her mother, one brother, two sisters, a sister-in-law, and two nieces are all citizens and residents of Iran.
Further concerns included the applicant's financial interests in Iran, specifically a bank account valued at approximately $45,000 and a trust fund worth about $10,000. The applicant also possessed an Iranian passport, which she used for travel to Iran in 1994, 2005, and 2012. She renewed this passport in 2012, and it was valid until 2017. Additionally, the applicant's spouse had Iranian contacts, which was noted as increasing the risk of foreign exploitation.
While the judge found that the applicant mitigated concerns related to Guideline C, she failed to mitigate the concerns under Guideline B. The presence of multiple family members in a hostile country, combined with the maintenance of an Iranian bank account and the spouse's Iranian contacts, led to the denial of her security clearance.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant has multiple family members who are citizens and residents of Iran, a country hostile to the U.S.
- The applicant's spouse also has Iranian contacts, increasing the risk of foreign exploitation.
- The applicant maintained a bank account in Iran, which posed a heightened risk of foreign influence.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 7(a)raisedForeign Contacts and Interests
- AG ¶ 7(b)raisedForeign Influence Due to Family Ties
- AG ¶ 7(d)raisedVulnerability to Coercion
- AG ¶ 7(e)raisedForeign Financial Interests
- AG ¶ 8(a)rejectedNature of Relationships with Foreign PersonsThe applicant's familial relationships with Iranian citizens create a heightened risk of foreign exploitation.
- AG ¶ 8(b)rejectedNo Foreign InfluenceThe applicant's ties to Iran were deemed significant enough to pose a security risk.
Key rule quoted
“"Foreign contacts and interests may be a security concern if the individual has divided loyalties or foreign financial interests, may be manipulated or induced to help a foreign person, group, organization, or government in a way that is not in U.S. interests, or is vulnerable to pressure or coercion by any foreign interest."”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedJan 11, 2013
- Answer filedFeb 6, 2013
- Hearing heldApr 26, 2013
- Decision dateMay 14, 2013
Cite for
- Security Concerns Related to Familial Ties in Hostile Countries Under Guideline B
- Impact of Foreign Financial Interests on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Consideration of Foreign Influence in the Context of U.S. National Security