Summary
A 53-year-old American citizen was denied a security clearance under Guideline C (Foreign Preference) due to concerns regarding her dual Irish citizenship and possession of an Irish passport. The applicant obtained Irish citizenship and a passport based on her mother's birth in Ireland. Although she never used the Irish passport, she failed to surrender it or obtain official U.S. government approval for its use.
The Statement of Reasons alleged that the applicant applied for and received Irish citizenship and an Irish passport, which she did not surrender. While she expressed a willingness to renounce her Irish citizenship and invalidate the passport, she did not obtain official approval for the foreign passport's use. Disqualifying conditions E2.A3.1.2.1 and E2.A3.1.2.2 were raised, and mitigating conditions E2.A3.1.3.1 and E2.A3.1.3.4 were applied.
Ultimately, the clearance was denied because the applicant retained the Irish passport and did not surrender it or secure official U.S. government approval for its use. Her actions were deemed to indicate a preference for a foreign country, raising doubts about her allegiance to the United States, and her expressed willingness to renounce her Irish citizenship was not supported by action.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant retained an Irish passport and failed to surrender it or obtain official approval for its use from the U.S. government.
- The applicant's actions indicated a preference for a foreign country over the United States, raising doubts about her allegiance.
- The applicant's expressed willingness to renounce her Irish citizenship was not supported by action.
Conditions referenced
- E2.A3.1.2.1raisedExercise of Dual Citizenship
- E2.A3.1.2.2raisedPossession And/or Use of a Foreign Passport
- E2.A3.1.3.1rejectedDual Citizenship Is Based Solely on Parents' Citizenship or Birth in a Foreign CountryThe applicant's actions indicated a preference for Ireland over the U.S.
- E2.A3.1.3.4rejectedIndividual Has Expressed a Willingness to Renounce Dual CitizenshipThe applicant's willingness was not accompanied by action to renounce her Irish citizenship.
Key rule quoted
“The possession and/or use of a foreign passport may be a disqualifying condition.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedApr 16, 2001
- Answer filedApr 26, 2001Applicant elected to proceed without a hearing.
- Hearing held—Case decided on written record.
- Decision dateJul 20, 2001
Cite for
- Disqualifying Conditions Related to Foreign Preference Under Guideline C
- Impact of Retaining a Foreign Passport on Security Clearance Eligibility
- The Necessity of Official Approval for the Use of a Foreign Passport in Security Clearance Cases