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ISCR Case 23-02826 — CASE

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ISCR Case 23-02826

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

Case Profile
Decision Date6/18/2025
Statusgranted
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Judge: LeRoy F. Foreman
Government Counsel: Sakeena Farhath
Applicant's Counsel: Sean D. Rogers
Case Summary
The applicant in this case was a 39-year-old linguist employed by a federal contractor since August 2022. She was born in Taiwan, became a U.S. citizen in July 2020, and submitted a security clearance application in September 2022. The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) issued a Statement of Reasons (SOR) on January 23, 2024, citing security concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence). The SOR alleged that the applicant had familial ties to Taiwan, including a father who was a citizen and resident, and multiple close relationships with citizens and residents of Taiwan.
In her response to the SOR, the applicant admitted all allegations but provided context for her relationships. She explained that her father, who had been estranged from her for years, was in poor health and financially dependent on her support. She also detailed her relationships with her sisters and aunts, none of whom had government ties. The applicant initiated the process to renounce her Taiwanese citizenship in April 2025 and had surrendered her Taiwanese passport. Witnesses testified to her loyalty to the United States and her integration into American society.
The administrative judge ruled in favor of the applicant, granting her security clearance. The judge concluded that the applicant's ties to Taiwan did not pose a significant risk to national security, particularly given her efforts to sever ties and her established life in the U.S. The judge emphasized the importance of evaluating the applicant as a whole person and found that her actions demonstrated a commitment to the United States.
Guidelines Evaluated
- Guideline BForeign Influence · For Applicant
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Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 23-02826

grantedJun 18, 2025· Hon. LeRoy F. Foreman· hearing

Summary

A 39-year-old U.S. citizen and linguist was granted a security clearance despite concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) related to her familial ties in Taiwan. The Statement of Reasons cited that her father is a Taiwanese citizen and resident, and she maintains multiple close relationships with Taiwanese citizens and residents. Additionally, the spouse of one of her friends is a Taiwanese citizen who previously served as a Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative for the Taiwanese government. These allegations raised disqualifying conditions under Adjudicative Guidelines Paragraphs 7(a) and 7(b).

However, the judge applied mitigating conditions under Adjudicative Guidelines Paragraph 8(b). The applicant demonstrated strong ties to the U.S. through her marriage and children. Crucially, she initiated the process to renounce her Taiwanese citizenship, which was viewed as a significant commitment to U.S. interests.

Ultimately, the judge determined that the applicant's strong connections within the U.S. outweighed her limited ties to Taiwan. Based on these mitigating factors, the security clearance was granted.

Why the Applicant Prevailed

The applicant demonstrated strong ties to the U.S. through her marriage and children.
She initiated the process to renounce her Taiwanese citizenship, showing commitment to U.S. interests.
The applicant's relationships in the U.S. outweighed her limited connections to Taiwan.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 7(a)raisedContact with Foreign Family MembersThe applicant's financial support to her father in Taiwan created a heightened risk of foreign exploitation.
AG ¶ 7(b)raisedConnections to Foreign PersonsThe applicant's familial ties in Taiwan presented potential conflicts of interest.

Mitigating

AG ¶ 8(b)appliedMinimal Conflict of InterestThe applicant's deep ties to the U.S. and her actions to renounce her citizenship mitigated concerns.

Key Rule Quoted

“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the adjudicative guidelines.”
— Exec. Or. 10865 § 2.

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedJan 23, 2024
Answer filedApr 29, 2024
Hearing heldMay 14, 2025conducted by video teleconference
Decision dateJun 18, 2025

Cite For

Mitigation of Foreign Influence Concerns Under Guideline B
Importance of Strong U.S. Ties in Security Clearance Cases
Impact of Renouncing Foreign Citizenship on Security Eligibility

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 that the applicant's ties to Taiwan, including her father's citizenship and her relationships with Taiwanese citizens, did not pose a security risk. The applicant admitted to the allegations but demonstrated a lack of affection for her father and initiated steps to renounce her Taiwanese citizenship. Ultimately, the judge concluded that granting the applicant eligibility for access to classified information was consistent with U.S. national security interests.

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 · U.S. Spouse or Partner · U.S. Children · U.S. Home or Property · U.S. Career or Business · Intent to Remain in U.S.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Relationship	Country	Response	Disqualifying (¶7)	Mitigating applied (¶8)	Mitigation
1.a	Applicant’s father is a citizen and resident of Taiwan.	For Applicant	Parent in Foreign Country Immediate Family	Taiwan HEIGHTENED RISK	Admitted	(a) contact with a foreign family member/associate/friend creating a heightened risk of exploitation (b) connections creating a potential conflict of interest	—	Claimed Other
1.b	Applicant has multiple close and continuing personal relationships with citizens and/or residents of Taiwan.	For Applicant	Unspecified Foreign Relationship Other	Taiwan HEIGHTENED RISK	Admitted	(a) contact with a foreign family member/associate/friend creating a heightened risk of exploitation (b) connections creating a potential conflict of interest	—	Claimed Other
1.c	The spouse of one of Applicant’s friends is a citizen of Taiwan and formerly served as a Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative for the Taiwanese government.	For Applicant	Friend in Foreign Country Friend GOVT-AFFILIATED	Taiwan HEIGHTENED RISK	Admitted	(a) contact with a foreign family member/associate/friend creating a heightened risk of exploitation (b) connections creating a potential conflict of interest	—	Claimed Other

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

Full decision

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