Summary
The applicant, a dual citizen of Jordan and the United States, traveled to Syria using a Jordanian passport and has family members residing in Jordan and the UAE. Despite expressing a desire to surrender his Jordanian passport, he had not completed the process at the time of the hearing. The administrative judge denied the security clearance based on concerns of foreign influence and preference due to the applicant's family ties and use of a foreign passport.
Under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign Preference), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant's father is a dual citizen of Jordan and the United States and resides in the United Arab Emirates (2.a). Applicant's mother is a dual citizen of Jordan and the United States and divides her residence between the United Arab Emirates and the United States (2.b). Applicant's brother is a dual citizen of Jordan and the United States and resides in Jordan (2.c). Applicant's father owns a construction business headquartered in the United Arab Emirates with an office in Jordan (2.d). Applicant has taken steps to surrender his Jordanian passport but has not yet completed the process (2.e). Applicant has traveled to Jordan and Syria using his Jordanian passport after becoming a U.S. citizen (2.f). Applicant has family members who are dual citizens and reside in foreign countries, which may create a potential for foreign influence (2.g). Applicant has expressed a willingness to renounce his Jordanian citizenship but has not taken definitive action to do so (2.h). Applicant has limited contact with extended family members in Jordan and the West Bank (2.i). The applicant is a dual citizen of the United States and Jordan (1.a). The applicant used a Jordanian passport to travel to Syria in May 2001 (1.b). The applicant has not provided evidence that he has surrendered his Jordanian passport (1.c). The applicant expressed a reluctance to renounce his Jordanian citizenship because he wanted to keep his options open (1.d).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions DC 1, DC 2. The decision turned on the following: The applicant's immediate family members are dual citizens of Jordan and the U.S., residing in foreign countries, which raises foreign influence concerns; The applicant used a Jordanian passport to travel to Syria, demonstrating foreign preference; The applicant has not provided evidence of having surrendered his Jordanian passport, despite indicating a desire to do so.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant's immediate family members are dual citizens of Jordan and the U.S., residing in foreign countries, which raises foreign influence concerns.
- The applicant used a Jordanian passport to travel to Syria, demonstrating foreign preference.
- The applicant has not provided evidence of having surrendered his Jordanian passport, despite indicating a desire to do so.
Conditions Referenced
- DC 1appliedForeign Influence
- DC 1appliedForeign Preference
- DC 2appliedPossession And/or Use of a Foreign Passport
Key Rule Quoted
“Any reasonable doubt about whether an applicant should be allowed access to classified information must be resolved in favor of protecting national security.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedNov 2, 2004
- Answer filedJan 18, 2005
- Hearing heldJun 16, 2005
- Decision dateSep 20, 2005
Cite For
- Foreign Influence Concerns Due to Family Ties Under Guideline B
- Foreign Preference Demonstrated by the Use of a Foreign Passport Under Guideline C
- The Requirement to Surrender Foreign Passports for Security Clearance Eligibility