Summary
A 53-year-old electrical engineer, a 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 Statement of Reasons cited his dual citizenship, possession and/or use of a foreign passport, and immediate family members residing in a foreign country.
Specifically, the applicant's dual Iranian citizenship and his family ties in Iran raised disqualifying conditions. While the applicant expressed an intent to renounce his Iranian citizenship and surrender his Iranian passport, he had not taken any concrete steps to do so.
Ultimately, the applicant failed to mitigate the security concerns related to his dual citizenship and the use of his Iranian passport. The presence of family members in Iran was also identified as a potential risk of foreign influence, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant failed to mitigate security concerns related to his dual citizenship and use of an Iranian passport.
- Applicant has not taken steps to surrender his Iranian passport or renounce his Iranian citizenship despite expressing intent to do so.
- Family members residing in Iran pose a potential risk of foreign influence.
Conditions Referenced
- E2.A3.1.2.1raisedExercise of Dual Citizenship
- E2.A2.1.2.1raisedImmediate Family Member Is a Citizen of a Foreign Country
- E2.A3.1.3.4rejectedWillingness to Renounce Dual CitizenshipApplicant expressed willingness but took no concrete action.
- E2.A2.1.3.1rejectedFamily Members Are Not Agents of a Foreign PowerApplicant did not demonstrate that family ties do not pose a risk.
Key Rule Quoted
“When an individual acts in such a way as to indicate a preference for a foreign country over the United States, then he or she may be prone to provide information or make decisions that are harmful to the interests of the United States.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedApr 1, 2002
- Answer filedApr 20, 2002
- Hearing heldSep 12, 2002
- Decision dateDec 17, 2002
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Dual Citizenship Under Guideline C
- Foreign Influence Concerns Due to Family Ties in Iran Under Guideline B
- Failure to Take Concrete Steps to Mitigate Security Concerns Regarding Foreign Preference