Summary
A 45-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen, originally from France, was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign Preference). The applicant retains her French citizenship and has immediate family, including her mother, father, and two sisters, who are French citizens residing in France. She maintains close contact with her family, speaking with her mother weekly and traveling to France to visit them.
The Statement of Reasons cited the applicant's possession and/or use of a foreign passport and her exercise of dual citizenship as disqualifying conditions. A significant concern was her stated desire to retain dual citizenship specifically so her daughter could benefit from attending school in France. This indicated a preference for France, raising issues under Guideline C.
Despite the applicant's claims of loyalty to the U.S., the judge found that she did not provide sufficient evidence to mitigate the security concerns related to foreign influence and preference. Consequently, her security clearance was denied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant retains French citizenship and has immediate family residing in France, raising security concerns under Guideline B.
- Applicant's desire to maintain dual citizenship for her daughter's educational benefits indicates a preference for France, raising concerns under Guideline C.
- The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence to mitigate the security concerns related to foreign influence and preference.
Conditions Referenced
- E2.A2.1.2.1appliedForeign Influence Disqualifying Condition
- E2.A3.1.2.1appliedForeign Preference Disqualifying Condition
- E2.A3.1.2.2appliedPossession And/or Use of a Foreign Passport
- E2.A3.1.3.1appliedDual Citizenship Is Based Solely on Parents' Citizenship or Birth in a Foreign Country
- E2.A3.1.3.4rejectedIndividual Has Expressed a Willingness to Renounce Dual CitizenshipApplicant stated she is not willing to renounce her dual citizenship.
Key Rule Quoted
“The decision to deny a security clearance request to an individual is not necessarily a determination of the loyalty of the applicant.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 18, 2005
- Answer filedSep 16, 2005Applicant elected to have her case decided on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decided on the written record.
- Decision dateJan 31, 2006
Cite For
- Security Concerns Related to Foreign Influence Due to Family Ties Abroad
- Security Concerns Related to Foreign Preference Due to Dual Citizenship
- The Impact of Maintaining Foreign Citizenship on Security Clearance Eligibility