Summary
The applicant, a 52-year-old dual citizen of Colombia and the United States, sought a security clearance under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) due to familial ties in Colombia and Jordan. The judge found that the applicant's strong ties to the U.S., including citizenship, long-term residency, and stable employment, mitigated the security concerns related to her foreign connections, leading to a granted decision.
Under Guideline B (Foreign Influence), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant has connections in Jordan, the West Bank, Gaza, and Colombia that could create a potential conflict of interest (1.a).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 7(a), AG ¶ 7(b), AG ¶ 7(e), AG ¶ 7(f). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 8(a), AG ¶ 8(b), AG ¶ 8(c), AG ¶ 8(f). The decision turned on the following: The applicant demonstrated strong ties to the United States through citizenship, long-term residency, and stable employment; The relationships with foreign relatives were deemed unlikely to create a risk of foreign influence or exploitation; The applicant's financial interests in foreign properties were minimal compared to her significant U.S. assets.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant demonstrated strong ties to the United States through citizenship, long-term residency, and stable employment.
- The relationships with foreign relatives were deemed unlikely to create a risk of foreign influence or exploitation.
- The applicant's financial interests in foreign properties were minimal compared to her significant U.S. assets.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 7(a)raisedContact with Foreign Family Members
- AG ¶ 7(b)raisedConnections to Foreign Persons Creating Potential Conflict of Interest
- AG ¶ 7(e)notedShared Living Quarters with Foreign Citizens
- AG ¶ 7(f)raisedSubstantial Business or Property Interests in Foreign Countries
- AG ¶ 8(a)appliedNature of Relationships with Foreign Persons
- AG ¶ 8(b)appliedNo Conflict of Interest Due to Strong U.S. Ties
- AG ¶ 8(c)appliedCasual and Infrequent Contact with Foreign Citizens
- AG ¶ 8(f)appliedValue of Foreign Property Interests Unlikely to Result in Conflict
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedOct 4, 2018
- Answer filedOct 16, 2018
- Hearing heldFeb 26, 2019Applicant waived her right to 15-days’ notice of this hearing.
- Decision dateMay 10, 2019
Cite For
- Mitigation of Foreign Influence Concerns Under Guideline B
- Importance of Strong U.S. Ties in Security Clearance Decisions
- Evaluation of Familial Connections in the Context of National Security