Do IAs discriminate applicants based on their race/previous nationality/religion at birth/religion of family?

[ArtTatum]

Hello. I'd be some teenager from an Asian country, born into a Muslim family as a Muslim, and still a Muslim on pen-and paper; except for the fact that I am an atheist in belief. I'm a highschool student about to apply to universities abroad as an undergraduate student. As a matter of fact, I've already applied and have gotten offers from certain universities in the UK (applied for mainly Conflict and Peace Studies degrees).

Anyway, I've dreamt from a very early age of working in an Intelligence Agency (just like every other teen who's into spy films! ). Only very recently have I realised the sad reality of actually getting into such agencies, given the fact that they are extremely selective with their applications, plus the difficult-to-predict polygraph tests. Didn't quite make me give up my dream though.

However, just a couple of days ago, another potential complexity regarding the application occurred to me. Say we're going to fast forward to some years ahead, and I have successfully obtained an US citizenship. Then I am applying to an IA. Are they going to look into the fact that I had the citizenship of another country before I obtained my US citizenship? And how about my race, religion (or the religion I was, erm, "certified" on during my birth)?

I know these are trivial issues compared to the later complications that occur during the recruiting/admission/training process for applicants; but I really want to know where I stand with this, and whether going for this route is truly worth the effort after all, taking into consideration all these natural disadvantages that I have.

[T.M. Cullen]

Are they going to look into the fact that I had the citizenship of another country before I obtained my US citizenship?

There biggest concern will be if you are "radicalized" in any way.  Also, they will have a keen interest in any foreign relatives you may have or  ongong foreign contacts.  I'm just guessing, but if you are, as I suspect, from Indonesia or Malaysia, it will probably be easier than if you are middle eastern or Iranian.

Good Luck,

TC

[ArtTatum]

I'm Bangladeshi. And yea, most of my family/relatives IS/ARE Bangladeshi. Thanks for the reply!