Summary
The applicant, a 51-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Iran, sought a security clearance under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign Preference). The applicant's possession of an Iranian passport and close family ties in Iran raised concerns about foreign influence and preference. The judge denied the application, finding that the applicant did not sufficiently mitigate the security concerns raised by his foreign connections and passport use.
Under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign Preference), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: The Applicant's mother and two sisters are citizens of Iran (2.a). The Applicant telephones her several times a day. Her residence in Iran is currently for sale (2.b). The Applicant has two sisters who are Iranian citizens, and reside in Iran. They have applied to come to the United States (2.c). The Applicant maintains a close relationship with a friend who is a citizen of Great Britain but is employed in Norway (2.d). The Applicant has one sister and one brother who reside in the United States, and are naturalized citizens of the United States (2.e). The Applicant has also maintained a close and continuing foreign contact with a British citizen who is not only a very close friend, but is also a professional colleague (2.f). The Applicant has acted in such a way as to show a preference for another country over the United States (1.a). The Applicant has held an Iranian passport since 1978 (1.b). The Applicant renewed his Iranian passport in October 1999, to give power of attorney to his mother in order to transfer property and to ultimately receive a financial benefit (1.c). The Applicant used his Iranian passport to enter Turkey instead of his United States passport (1.d).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions C1, B1, B2. The decision turned on the following: The applicant maintained an Iranian passport after becoming a U.S. citizen, indicating a preference for a foreign country; The applicant's close family ties in Iran and ongoing relationships with foreign nationals raised significant security concerns; The applicant failed to demonstrate that he would not be vulnerable to foreign influence or coercion.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant maintained an Iranian passport after becoming a U.S. citizen, indicating a preference for a foreign country.
- The applicant's close family ties in Iran and ongoing relationships with foreign nationals raised significant security concerns.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate that he would not be vulnerable to foreign influence or coercion.
Conditions Referenced
- C1raisedPossession And/or Use of a Foreign Passport.
- B1raisedAn Immediate Family Member, or Person to Whom the Individual Has Close Ties of Affection or Obligation, Is a Citizen Of, or Resident or Present In, a Foreign Country.
- B2raisedRelatives, Cohabitants or Associates Who Are Connected with Any Foreign Government.
Key Rule Quoted
“The mere possession of a foreign passport raises legitimate questions as to whether the Applicant can be counted upon to place the interests of the United States paramount to that of another nation.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 28, 2001
- Answer filedOct 13, 2001
- Hearing heldJan 16, 2002
- Decision dateFeb 8, 2002
Cite For
- Foreign Preference Due to Possession of a Foreign Passport
- Foreign Influence From Family Ties in a Foreign Country
- Insufficient Mitigation of Security Concerns Related to Foreign Contacts