Summary
A 29-year-old U.S. citizen, born in Bangladesh, was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign Preference). The applicant's wife is a Bangladeshi citizen who has never resided in the U.S. and only recently joined him at his work site. Other foreign ties include his mother and two sisters-in-law, who are U.S. permanent resident aliens, and distant relatives in Bangladesh. The applicant also attended social functions at the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington, D.C.
Concerns under Guideline C arose because the applicant used a Bangladeshi passport to exercise rights as a citizen of Bangladesh and claimed dual citizenship on his February 2001 SF-86. He also used a stamp on his U.S. passport to facilitate travel to Bangladesh.
The judge concluded that the applicant did not sufficiently mitigate these foreign influence and foreign preference concerns. Specifically, the applicant's wife's foreign citizenship and his use of a Bangladeshi passport, along with his exercise of dual citizenship, raised doubts about his suitability for a security clearance, leading to the denial.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant's wife is a Bangladeshi citizen who has never lived in the U.S., creating foreign influence concerns.
- The applicant used a Bangladeshi passport and a stamp on his U.S. passport to facilitate travel to Bangladesh, indicating foreign preference.
- The applicant's ties to foreign citizens and his exercise of dual citizenship raised doubts about his suitability for a security clearance.
Conditions Referenced
- DC 1appliedForeign Influence
- DC 2appliedForeign Preference
- MC 1rejectedForeign InfluenceThe applicant's family members in the U.S. do not pose a security risk.
- MC 4appliedForeign PreferenceThe applicant expressed willingness to renounce his foreign citizenship.
Key Rule Quoted
“"A security risk may exist when an individual's immediate family, including cohabitants, and other persons to whom he or she may be bound by affection, influence, or obligation are not citizens of the United States or may be subject to duress."”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 24, 2003
- Answer filedApr 9, 2003
- Hearing heldAug 6, 2003Applicant appeared pro se.
- Decision dateNov 19, 2003
Cite For
- Foreign Influence Concerns Due to Spouse's Citizenship Under Guideline B
- Foreign Preference Issues Arising From the Use of a Foreign Passport Under Guideline C
- The Impact of Familial Ties to Foreign Citizens on Security Clearance Eligibility.