Summary
A 30-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen, originally from Iran, was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign Preference). The applicant's continued possession of an Iranian passport after becoming a U.S. citizen, and her use of it for travel to Iran in 1993, 1998, and after 1999, were cited as evidence of foreign preference. Although she stated a willingness to surrender the passport, she had not done so.
Significant family ties in Iran also raised foreign influence concerns. Her grandmother, aunt, and cousins are Iranian citizens residing in Iran, and her mother, an Iranian citizen residing in the U.S., travels regularly to Iran. Her sister, also an Iranian citizen residing in the U.S., is eligible for U.S. citizenship but has not obtained it. While her husband is a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Pakistan, his father is a Pakistani citizen residing in Pakistan, though the applicant stated they have no contact with him.
The denial was based on the applicant's maintenance of an Iranian passport, her substantial family ties in Iran, and her failure to demonstrate a willingness to renounce Iranian citizenship or surrender her Iranian passport, which collectively indicated a preference for Iran and potential vulnerability to foreign influence.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant maintained an Iranian passport after becoming a U.S. citizen, indicating a preference for Iran.
- The applicant has substantial family ties in Iran, including relatives who are Iranian citizens, which could lead to foreign influence.
- The applicant did not demonstrate a willingness to renounce her Iranian citizenship or surrender her Iranian passport.
Conditions referenced
- C1raisedForeign Preference - Possession And/or Use of a Foreign Passport
- B1raisedForeign Influence - an Immediate Family Member Is a Citizen of a Foreign Country
- C4rejectedForeign Preference - Individual Has Expressed a Willingness to Renounce Dual CitizenshipThe applicant did not convincingly demonstrate a desire to renounce her Iranian citizenship.
Key rule quoted
“An individual who demonstrates a foreign preference and has foreign connections may be prone to provide information or make decisions that are harmful to the interests of the United States.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedJul 12, 2001
- Answer filedJul 31, 2001Applicant elected to proceed without a hearing.
- Hearing held—Written record only.
- Decision dateDec 19, 2001
Cite for
- Foreign Preference Due to Possession of a Foreign Passport Under Guideline C
- Foreign Influence Concerns Arising From Family Ties in a Foreign Country Under Guideline B
- Rejection of Mitigating Conditions Related to Foreign Preference and Influence