Summary
A 46-year-old dual citizen of Russia and the United States was denied a security clearance under Guidelines B (Foreign Influence) and C (Foreign Preference). The applicant maintained significant ties to family members residing in Russia, including weekly contact with his parents and sister via telephone and electronic means. He provided approximately $15,000 in financial support to his parents, aged 79 and 83.
Further concerns arose from the applicant's financial interests in Russia, which included co-ownership of an apartment valued at $100,000 where his parents live, and sole ownership of a summer home valued at $10,000. The applicant also maintained his Russian citizenship and held a valid Russian passport, obtained in 2009 and expiring in December 2014. He used this passport for travel to Russia to visit family in May 2010, 2011, and 2013, after becoming a U.S. citizen in March 2010.
The denial was based on the applicant's ongoing dual citizenship and exercise of foreign citizenship rights, his substantial foreign financial interests, and his close family ties to individuals in Russia. These factors were determined to create a heightened risk of coercion and conflict of interest, particularly given Russia's poor human rights record and its known targeting of U.S. citizens.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant maintained dual citizenship and a valid Russian passport, exercising foreign citizenship rights after becoming a U.S. citizen.
- He has significant financial interests in Russia, including co-ownership of property, which could subject him to foreign influence.
- The applicant's close family ties to individuals in Russia, a country known for targeting U.S. citizens, raised security concerns.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 7(a)appliedContact with Foreign Family Members
- AG ¶ 7(b)appliedConnections to Foreign Persons Creating Potential Conflict of Interest
- AG ¶ 7(e)appliedSubstantial Financial Interests in a Foreign Country
- AG ¶ 10(a)appliedExercise of Foreign Citizenship Rights After Becoming a U.S. Citizen
Key rule quoted
“A security clearance decision is intended only to resolve whether it is clearly consistent with the national interest for an applicant to either receive or continue to have access to classified information.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedApr 29, 2014
- Answer filedMay 12, 2014Applicant requested a decision without a hearing.
- Hearing held—No hearing was conducted.
- Decision dateAug 22, 2014
Cite for
- Foreign Influence Concerns Due to Family Ties Under Guideline B
- Foreign Preference Due to Dual Citizenship and Use of a Foreign Passport Under Guideline C
- Impact of Foreign Financial Interests on Security Clearance Eligibility