Summary
A 63-year-old security officer for a U.S. company was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign Preference). The applicant held dual citizenship with Syria and owned property in Lebanon. Specific allegations included the exercise of dual citizenship, possession and/or use of a foreign passport, and using foreign citizenship to protect financial or business interests in another country.
Disqualifying conditions C1, C2, and C6 were raised, while mitigating conditions B1, C2, and C4 were applied. Despite some mitigation of foreign influence concerns, the applicant's unwillingness to relinquish his Syrian passport and citizenship was a primary factor in the denial.
The denial was based on the applicant's maintenance of dual citizenship with Syria and his refusal to relinquish his Syrian passport, which raised significant foreign preference concerns. His financial interests in Lebanon were seen as influencing his decision to retain foreign citizenship, thereby casting doubt on his allegiance to the U.S. The applicant's assertion of a preference for the U.S. was deemed insufficient to mitigate the security concerns stemming from his foreign ties.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant maintained dual citizenship with Syria and refused to relinquish his Syrian passport, raising concerns about foreign preference.
- The applicant's financial interests in Lebanon influenced his decision to retain his foreign citizenship, casting doubt on his allegiance to the U.S.
- The applicant's assertion of a preference for the U.S. was insufficient to mitigate the security concerns raised by his foreign ties.
Conditions referenced
- C1raisedExercise of Dual Citizenship
- C2raisedPossession And/or Use of a Foreign Passport
- C6raisedUsing Foreign Citizenship to Protect Financial or Business Interests in Another Country
- B1appliedImmediate Family Members Are Not Agents of a Foreign Power
- C2rejectedIndicators of Possible Foreign Preference Occurred Before Obtaining United States Citizenship
- C4rejectedIndividual Has Expressed a Willingness to Renounce Dual Citizenship
Key rule quoted
“any clearance [must] be denied or revoked unless the applicant surrenders the foreign passport . . . .”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedMay 20, 2002
- Answer filedAug 10, 2002
- Hearing held—Decision made without a hearing at applicant's request.
- Decision dateDec 30, 2002
Cite for
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Dual Citizenship Under Guideline C
- Foreign Preference Concerns Related to Possession of a Foreign Passport
- Mitigation of Foreign Influence Concerns When Family Members Are Not Agents of a Foreign Power