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Summary

A 53-year-old dual citizen of Iran and the United States was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign Preference). The applicant's husband is an Iranian citizen residing in the U.S., who is hesitant to apply for U.S. citizenship due to fears of being unable to visit his ailing mother in Iran. The applicant's mother-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, sister-in-law, and six nieces and nephews are all Iranian citizens residing in Iran. The applicant and her spouse send approximately $1,500 annually to her mother-in-law for financial assistance.

The applicant initially obtained Iranian citizenship and a passport to visit her husband's sick mother, after being informed her U.S. passport would not be honored for future visits to Iran. She used her Iranian passport during a visit in March 2002. Upon learning that her dual citizenship would impact her security clearance, she destroyed her Iranian passport and renounced her Iranian citizenship.

Despite these actions, the clearance was denied. The judge found that the applicant's significant foreign contacts and emotional ties to Iran, particularly her immediate family members residing there, created a potential for foreign influence that could compromise classified information. The applicant did not sufficiently demonstrate that these ties would not pose a risk, and her husband's Iranian citizenship further raised concerns about potential pressure.

Why the applicant was denied

• The applicant has significant foreign contacts, including immediate family members who are citizens of Iran.
• The applicant did not demonstrate that her ties to her family in Iran would not create the potential for foreign influence.
• The applicant's husband is an Iranian citizen, which raises concerns about potential pressure on the applicant.

Conditions referenced

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 17, 2002
• Answer filedJul 24, 2002
• Hearing heldJan 16, 2003
• Decision dateFeb 13, 2003

Cite for

• Denial of Clearance Due to Significant Foreign Contacts Under Guideline B
• Impact of Emotional Ties to Foreign Nationals on Security Clearance Eligibility
• Mitigation of Foreign Preference Concerns Through Renunciation of Citizenship