It’s not about the clerk being wrong or right. I’m not arguing that point.In post #21, your fellow staff member claims otherwise, on multiple occasions. Personally, I believe that he is being truthful.
It’s about the OP getting their passport.
I’m telling you how the world works, and I’m telling you that the way to get along with this clerk and get what you want from the clerk is to do what they ask even if they’re wrong.
Getting into a contest, showing them they’re wrong, will not be successful.
So, who cares what the State Department policy is - do you want a passport or not?
For the record, this is how bureaucracy works. I’ve had several passports. I have had many visas on each of them. You have to roll with the bureaucracy if you want to accomplish your goal.