Summary
A 24-year-old U.S. citizen engineer, originally from China, was denied a security clearance under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) due to extensive family ties in China. The Statement of Reasons detailed that his father is a police officer in China, his step-mother and half-sister are Chinese citizens and residents, and he maintains contact with a cousin who served in the Chinese military. Additionally, he has an uncle and two aunts in China, one of whom works for the Chinese government.
The applicant admitted to all these allegations concerning his family connections. The judge determined that these close relationships created a heightened risk of foreign influence, citing Disqualifying Condition AG ¶ 7(a). While Mitigating Conditions AG ¶ 8(a), AG ¶ 8(b), and AG ¶ 8(c) were considered, they were insufficient to overcome the security concerns.
Ultimately, the applicant's significant ties to family members who are Chinese citizens, particularly his father's role as a police officer and other relatives working for the Chinese government, were deemed unmitigated security risks. The judge concluded that these relationships posed a substantial foreign influence risk, leading to the denial of the security clearance.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant admitted to all allegations regarding his family connections in China.
- The applicant's close relationships with family members in China created a heightened risk of foreign influence.
- The applicant's ties to family members who are citizens of China, including a father who is a police officer, were deemed significant security concerns.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 7(a)raisedContact with Foreign Family MembersContact, regardless of method, with a foreign family member creates a heightened risk of foreign exploitation.
- AG ¶ 8(a)rejectedNature of RelationshipsThe relationships are not casual and communications are frequent.
- AG ¶ 8(b)rejectedMinimal Conflict of InterestThe applicant's loyalty to the U.S. is significant but insufficient to outweigh the risks.
- AG ¶ 8(c)rejectedCasual and Infrequent ContactThe applicant maintains regular contact with family members in China.
Key rule quoted
“The presence of close personal relationships in the People’s Republic of China presents a heightened risk of manipulation or inducement to act in a way inconsistent with U.S. interests.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedAug 28, 2019
- Answer filed—
- Hearing heldJan 28, 2020
- Decision dateMay 12, 2020
Cite for
- Heightened Risk of Foreign Influence Due to Family Ties Under Guideline B
- Impact of Foreign Contacts on Security Clearance Decisions
- Evaluation of Mitigating Conditions Related to Foreign Influence