CASE · Clearance Adjudication Search EngineCASE

Loading case…

ISCR Case 19-00803 — CASE

DOHA Record Explorer

ISCR Case 19-00803

A decided public DOHA case, shown for research — not advice or a prediction.

Case Profile
Decision Date11/4/2024
Statusgranted
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Applicant Representation: Pro Se
Judge: Robert E. Coacher
Government Counsel: Tara R. Karoian
Case Summary
The applicant in this case sought a security clearance and faced allegations under Guideline B, concerning foreign influence, as outlined in the Statement of Reasons (SOR) issued by the Department of Defense (DOD) on September 29, 2022. The SOR included seven specific allegations related to the applicant's family ties in Kyrgyzstan, which raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
During the proceedings, the applicant admitted to having family members in Kyrgyzstan but denied any significant foreign influence that would affect his loyalty to the United States. He provided evidence of his long-standing commitment to the U.S., including his service in the Army National Guard, community ties, and minimal contact with his family abroad, primarily concerning his parents' health. Testimonies from his current supervisor and colleagues supported his reliability and trustworthiness in his role as a security clearance background investigator.
The administrative judge ruled in favor of the applicant, concluding that the evidence demonstrated no current doubts regarding his reliability, trustworthiness, or good judgment. The judge found that the applicant's established ties to the U.S. outweighed the foreign influence concerns, and it was determined that granting the security clearance was consistent with national interests. Consequently, the applicant was granted eligibility for access to classified information.
Guidelines Evaluated
- Guideline BForeign Influence · For Applicant
Similar decisions
Other decisions whose allegations read most like this one. Descriptive similarity of the allegations only — not a prediction.
Finding similar decisions…

Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 19-00803

grantedNov 4, 2024· Hon. Robert E. Coacher· hearing

Summary

This security clearance decision involved an applicant representing himself under Guideline B (Foreign Influence), primarily due to family ties in Kyrgyzstan. The administrative judge ultimately granted the clearance, finding that the applicant had successfully mitigated the initial concerns.

Key mitigating factors included the applicant's demonstrated deep and long-standing loyalties to the United States, evidenced by his military service and strong community ties. Furthermore, the applicant maintained only minimal contact with his family abroad, which significantly reduced the potential for foreign influence.

The judge also considered positive character references that supported the applicant's trustworthiness and reliability. These combined factors, aligning with mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(a), AG ¶ 20(b), and AG ¶ 20(c), led to the favorable decision to grant the security clearance.

Why the Applicant Prevailed

The applicant demonstrated deep and long-standing loyalties to the United States through military service and community ties.
Minimal contact with family abroad mitigated foreign influence concerns.
Positive character references supported the applicant's trustworthiness and reliability.

Conditions Referenced

Mitigating

AG ¶ 20(a)appliedThe Nature of the Foreign ContactsThe applicant's minimal contact with family abroad mitigated concerns.
AG ¶ 20(b)appliedThe Applicant's Ties to the U.S.The applicant's strong ties to the U.S. outweighed foreign influence concerns.
AG ¶ 20(c)appliedThe Applicant's Character and ReputationPositive character references indicated the applicant's reliability.

Key Rule Quoted

“The favorable evidence outweighed the unfavorable evidence.”

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedSep 29, 2022
Answer filedOct 28, 2022
Hearing heldApr 13, 2023Applicant declined a supplemental hearing.
Decision dateNov 4, 2024

Cite For

Mitigation of Foreign Influence Concerns Under Guideline B
Importance of U.S. Ties in Security Clearance Decisions
Weight of Character References in Clearance Evaluations

Editorial summary generated for research. Not legal advice; not a prediction. Verify against the full decision before relying on any quoted language.

Full decision

The complete, official text — footnotes and signatures included — is in the original PDF.