Summary
A naturalized U.S. citizen, originally from Taiwan, was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline C (Foreign Preference). The applicant's parents are Taiwanese citizens, with his father involved in financial planning and splitting time between Taiwan and the U.S. His mother, a retired accountant, lives in the U.S. with his sister, a dual U.S./Taiwanese national.
The applicant maintained significant financial ties to Taiwan, including approximately $87,000 in Taiwanese company stock and $10,000 in a Taiwanese bank account, managed by his mother. He also claimed to have transferred Taiwanese real estate, valued at about $128,500, to his father but provided no documentation to support this. Furthermore, after becoming a U.S. citizen in 2001, he traveled to Taiwan five times between 2004 and 2007 using his Taiwanese passport, which he renewed in 2005 before returning it to the Taiwanese Bureau of Counselor Affairs.
A key factor in the denial was the applicant's unwillingness to renounce his Taiwanese citizenship, citing having lived two-thirds of his life in Taiwan. The judge concluded that these substantial financial interests and the applicant's refusal to renounce foreign citizenship raised significant trustworthiness concerns, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant maintained substantial financial interests in Taiwan, including stock and a bank account.
- He expressed an unwillingness to renounce his Taiwanese citizenship, indicating a preference for foreign ties over U.S. interests.
- The applicant failed to provide documentation supporting his claims of transferring real estate to his father.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 7(a)raisedForeign Contacts and Interests
- AG ¶ 7(e)appliedSubstantial Financial Interest in a Foreign Country
- AG ¶ 10(a)(1)raisedPossession of a Current Foreign Passport
- AG ¶ 10(a)(5)raisedUsing Foreign Citizenship to Protect Financial Interests
- AG ¶ 11(e)appliedSurrender of Foreign Passport
- AG ¶ 1(a)rejectedNature of Relationships with Foreign PersonsThe applicant's financial interests and family ties created a heightened risk of foreign influence.
Key rule quoted
“Any doubt concerning personnel being considered for access to classified information will be resolved in favor of national security.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedOct 23, 2008
- Answer filedNov 11, 2008
- Hearing heldJan 22, 2009
- Decision dateFeb 24, 2009
Cite for
- Foreign Influence Due to Financial Interests in a Foreign Country
- Foreign Preference Indicated by Retention of Dual Citizenship
- Impact of Family Ties on Security Clearance Eligibility