Summary
A 36-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen, originally from Jordan and working as a program manager, was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence), Guideline C (Foreign Preference), and Guideline E (Personal Conduct). Key factors included his retention of a Jordanian passport, ownership of property in Jordan, and failure to disclose relevant information on his security clearance application.
Specific allegations included the applicant's wife being a Jordanian citizen residing in the U.S., his parents being dual U.S. and Jordanian citizens also residing with him, and one brother being a Jordanian citizen living in the United Arab Emirates. The applicant owns a condominium in Jordan valued at $180,000 and has returned to Jordan annually since 1997, with intentions to continue these visits. The exercise of dual citizenship, possession of a foreign passport, and using foreign citizenship to protect financial interests were also cited.
The denial was based on the applicant's retention of a Jordanian passport after becoming a U.S. citizen, which indicated foreign preference. Additionally, his close ties to family members in Jordan raised concerns about foreign influence. Finally, the applicant intentionally omitted relevant information on his security clearance application, demonstrating a lack of candor.
Why the applicant was denied
- Applicant retained a Jordanian passport after becoming a U.S. citizen, indicating foreign preference.
- Applicant's close ties to family members in Jordan raised foreign influence concerns.
- Applicant intentionally omitted relevant information on his security clearance application, demonstrating a lack of candor.
Conditions referenced
- E2.A3.1.2.1appliedThe Exercise of Dual Citizenship
- E2.A3.1.2.2appliedPossession And/or Use of a Foreign Passport
- E2.A2.1.2.1appliedAn Immediate Family Member Is a Citizen of a Foreign Country
- E2.A2.1.2.8appliedA Substantial Financial Interest in a Foreign Country
- E2.A5.1.2.2appliedThe Deliberate Omission or Concealment of Relevant Facts
Key rule quoted
“No one has a right to a security clearance and "the clearly consistent standard indicates that security clearance determinations should err, if they must, on the side of denials."”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedJul 24, 2006
- Answer filedAug 2, 2006
- Hearing heldNov 16, 2006
- Decision dateJan 16, 2007
Cite for
- Foreign Preference Due to Dual Citizenship and Passport Retention
- Foreign Influence From Close Family Ties in a Foreign Country
- Personal Conduct Issues Related to Intentional Omissions on Security Clearance Applications