Summary
A 25-year-old software engineer, born in Turkey and a naturalized U.S. citizen since 1998, was denied a security clearance primarily under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign Preference). The applicant maintained dual Turkish citizenship and possessed a Turkish passport, which he used for travel to Turkey after becoming a U.S. citizen.
Key concerns included the applicant's exercise of dual citizenship and his unwillingness to renounce his Turkish citizenship or relinquish his Turkish passport as a condition for access. Additionally, the applicant has relatives residing in Turkey, which raised potential foreign influence concerns.
Despite claims of allegiance to the U.S., the judge denied the security clearance. The decision cited the applicant's failure to surrender his Turkish passport or express a willingness to renounce his Turkish citizenship, concluding that these factors, along with family ties in Turkey, presented unmitigated security risks.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant did not surrender his Turkish passport or indicate a willingness to renounce his Turkish citizenship.
- The applicant's possession of a foreign passport and dual citizenship raised security concerns under Guideline C.
- The applicant's family ties in Turkey created potential foreign influence concerns under Guideline B.
Conditions Referenced
- E2.A3.1.2.1raisedExercise of Dual Citizenship
- E2.A3.1.2.2raisedPossession And/or Use of a Foreign Passport
- E2.A3.1.3.1rejectedDual Citizenship Based Solely on Parents' Citizenship or Birth in a Foreign CountryThe applicant's dual citizenship was not solely based on birth, as he actively maintained his Turkish passport.
- E2.A2.1.3.1appliedImmediate Family Members Are Not Agents of a Foreign PowerThe applicant's relatives in Turkey were not in positions to be exploited by a foreign power.
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 issuedMar 8, 2002
- Answer filedApr 18, 2002Applicant requested decision without a hearing.
- Hearing held—
- Decision dateSep 3, 2002
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Foreign Passport Possession Under Guideline C
- Foreign Influence Concerns Arising From Family Ties in a Foreign Country Under Guideline B
- The Necessity of Surrendering Foreign Passports for Security Clearance Eligibility.