Summary
A 58-year-old defense contractor employee was denied retention of her security clearance under Guidelines B (Foreign Influence), C (Foreign Preference), and E (Personal Conduct). The denial stemmed from concerns regarding her long-standing foreign preference and connections to Egypt, despite her surrender of an Egyptian passport.
The Statement of Reasons cited several allegations. These included the applicant's three siblings being Egyptian citizens and residents, two of whom are retired government employees, and her maintaining close contact with them. Additionally, the applicant was cited for possessing and/or using a foreign passport and exercising dual citizenship. A significant concern under personal conduct was her falsification of a Security Clearance Application (SF 86) by omitting five trips to Egypt between 1993 and 1997, while disclosing only two later trips.
The judge concluded that the applicant's actions demonstrated a preference for her foreign citizenship, citing her use of the Egyptian passport for discounts and ease of entry into Egypt. Her frequent travel and close family ties in Egypt indicated a vulnerability to foreign influence, and the omission of multiple trips from her application suggested a lack of candor. These factors collectively led to the denial of her security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant maintained her Egyptian passport and used it for discounts and ease of entry into Egypt, demonstrating foreign preference.
- Applicant's frequent travel to Egypt and close ties with family members residing there indicated vulnerability to foreign influence.
- Applicant's omission of multiple trips to Egypt from her security clearance application suggested a lack of candor.
Conditions Referenced
- E2.A3.1.2.2raisedPossession And/or Use of a Foreign Passport
- E2.A2.1.2.1raisedAn Immediate Family Member, or a Person to Whom the Individual Has Close Ties of Affection or Obligation, Is a Citizen Of, or Resident In, a Foreign Country
- E2.A5.1.2.2raisedThe Deliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant and Material Facts From Any Personnel Security Questionnaire
- E2.A3.1.3.4rejectedIndividual Has Expressed a Willingness to Renounce Dual CitizenshipApplicant expressed willingness but took no steps to pursue renunciation.
- E2.A2.1.3notedConditions That Could Mitigate Security Concerns
- E2.A5.1.3notedConditions That Could Mitigate Security Concerns
Key Rule Quoted
“"The Government has a compelling interest in ensuring those entrusted with this Nation's secrets will make decisions free of concerns for the foreign country of which they may also be a citizen."”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedOct 15, 2002
- Answer filedDec 10, 2002
- Hearing heldApr 9, 2003
- Decision dateSep 15, 2003
Cite For
- Foreign Preference Due to Possession and Use of a Foreign Passport Under Guideline C
- Vulnerability to Foreign Influence Due to Family Ties Under Guideline B
- Lack of Candor in Security Clearance Application Under Guideline E