CASE · Clearance Adjudication Search EngineCASE

Loading case…

ISCR Case 22-01017 — CASE

Case record

ISCR Case 22-01017

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

Case Profile
Decision Date10/18/2023
Statusgranted
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Applicant Representation: Pro Se
Judge: Candace Le'i Garcia
Government Counsel: Nicholas T. Temple
Case Summary
The applicant in this case was a 50-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Pakistan, who sought a security clearance after being issued a Statement of Reasons (SOR) citing concerns under Guideline B (foreign influence). The SOR raised issues related to the applicant's ties to Pakistan, including his family connections and previous military service, which could potentially pose a risk to national security.
During the proceedings, the applicant admitted to all allegations in the SOR, including his past military service in Pakistan and the existence of family members residing there, such as his father and a child from a previous marriage. He provided context for his situation, explaining that he had renounced his Pakistani citizenship in 2022 and had taken steps to sever ties with the Pakistani military, including paying back military salary to formalize his resignation. The applicant also highlighted his commitment to the U.S. and his family life in the country, including his current marriage and children.
The administrative judge ruled in favor of the applicant, concluding that he had successfully mitigated the foreign influence concerns. The judge noted the applicant's proactive measures, such as renouncing his citizenship and severing military ties, as well as his established life in the U.S. and lack of recent contact with family members in Pakistan. The decision emphasized that the applicant's actions demonstrated a commitment to the United States and reduced the potential risks associated with his previous affiliations.
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. 22-01017

grantedOct 18, 2023· Hon. Candace Le'i Garcia· hearing

Summary

This case concerns a 50-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen, originally from Pakistan, whose security clearance was reviewed under Guideline B (Foreign Influence). The Statement of Reasons detailed several allegations, including that the applicant's child, father, and siblings reside in Pakistan. Further concerns involved a brother-in-law who served in the Pakistani military and works for the Pakistani police, as well as the applicant's own past service in the Pakistani military. Additionally, the applicant maintained contact with individuals from the Pakistani military and had contact with representatives from the Pakistani embassy and government.

The applicant admitted all allegations. Disqualifying conditions under Guideline B, specifically AG ¶ 7(a), AG ¶ 7(b), and AG ¶ 7(e), were raised. However, mitigating conditions, particularly AG ¶ 8(b), were applied.

The judge ultimately granted the security clearance. This decision was based on the applicant demonstrating strong ties to the United States through education and employment. He also renounced his Pakistani citizenship and repaid military salary to sever his ties with the Pakistani military. The judge concluded that the applicant's family connections in Pakistan did not pose a significant risk of foreign influence to national security.

Why the Applicant Prevailed

The applicant demonstrated strong ties to the United States through education and employment.
He renounced his Pakistani citizenship and paid back military salary to sever ties with the Pakistani military.
The applicant's family connections in Pakistan were not deemed to pose a significant risk of foreign influence.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 7(a)raisedContact with Foreign Family Members
AG ¶ 7(b)raisedConnections to Foreign Persons
AG ¶ 7(e)raisedShared Living Quarters with Foreign Persons

Mitigating

AG ¶ 8(b)appliedMinimal Conflict of InterestThe applicant has demonstrated a strong commitment to U.S. interests over foreign ties.

Key Rule Quoted

“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedJun 23, 2022
Answer filedAug 24, 2022
Hearing heldMay 2, 2023via video teleconference
Decision dateOct 18, 2023

Cite For

Mitigation of Foreign Influence Under Guideline B
Importance of Strong U.S. Ties in Security Clearance Cases
Consideration of Renunciation of Foreign Citizenship as a Mitigating Factor

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

Standardized Decision Profile

SEAD-4 Guideline B (Foreign Influence) · descriptive summary of a decided case

Posture: HearingDecided: granted

The judge found in favor of the applicant on all allegations related to foreign influence under Guideline B. The applicant's ties to Pakistan, including family relationships and past military service, were acknowledged but ultimately mitigated by the applicant's circumstances and actions.

Country conditions:the decision took administrative notice of official facts about the foreign country (the Government’s country submission).

U.S. ties the decision noted: Naturalized U.S. Citizen

¶	Allegation	Finding	Relationship	Country	Response	Disqualifying (¶7)	Mitigating applied (¶8)	Mitigation
1.a	Applicant's child is a resident of Pakistan.	For Applicant	Parent in Foreign Country Immediate Family	Pakistan HEIGHTENED RISK	Admitted	—	—	—
1.b	Applicant's father is a citizen and resident of Pakistan.	For Applicant	Parent in Foreign Country Immediate Family	Pakistan HEIGHTENED RISK	Admitted	—	—	—
1.c	Applicant's siblings are citizens and residents of Pakistan.	For Applicant	Sibling in Foreign Country Immediate Family	Pakistan HEIGHTENED RISK	Admitted	—	—	—
1.d	Applicant's brother-in-law served in the Pakistani military.	For Applicant	In Law in Foreign Country Immediate Family GOVT-AFFILIATED	Pakistan HEIGHTENED RISK	Admitted	—	—	—
1.e	Applicant's brother-in-law works for the Pakistani police.	For Applicant	In Law in Foreign Country Immediate Family GOVT-AFFILIATED	Pakistan HEIGHTENED RISK	Admitted	—	—	—
1.f	Applicant served in the Pakistani military.	For Applicant	Unspecified Foreign Relationship Other GOVT-AFFILIATED	Pakistan HEIGHTENED RISK	Admitted	—	—	—
1.g	Applicant maintains contact with individuals from the Pakistani military.	For Applicant	Unspecified Foreign Relationship Other GOVT-AFFILIATED	Pakistan HEIGHTENED RISK	Admitted	—	—	—
1.h	Applicant had contact with a representative from the Pakistani embassy.	For Applicant	Foreign Government Contact Other GOVT-AFFILIATED	Pakistan HEIGHTENED RISK	Admitted	—	—	—
1.i	Applicant had contact with another representative of the Pakistani government.	For Applicant	Foreign Government Contact Other GOVT-AFFILIATED	Pakistan HEIGHTENED RISK	Admitted	—	—	—

Descriptive standardized rendering of a decided public case (Guideline B). The verbatim source decision is shown in full below.

Full decision

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