Loading case…

Summary

The applicant, a 43-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Pakistan, sought a security clearance under Guideline B due to familial ties in Pakistan. The judge granted the clearance, finding that the applicant's limited contact with family abroad and his strong ties to the U.S. mitigated concerns about foreign influence.

Under Guideline B (Foreign Influence), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: have a mother who is a citizen of Pakistan and resides in the U.S (1.a). have a brother who is a citizen of Pakistan and resides in the U.S (1.b). have at least one sister who is a citizen of Pakistan and is a resident of the U.S (1.c). have at least one sister who is a citizen and resident of Pakistan (1.d). have a sister who is a citizen of Pakistan and a resident of India (1.e). be friends with and keep in contact with an important Pakistan government person’s (VIP) son, who he visits when he travels to Pakistan (1.f). traveled to Pakistan in 1998 and 2003 (1.g).

The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 6(a), AG ¶ 6(b), AG ¶ 6(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 8(a), AG ¶ 8(b), AG ¶ 8(c), AG ¶ 8(d). The decision turned on the following: The applicant demonstrated strong ties to the U.S. through his education, employment, and family connections; He has not provided financial support to family members residing abroad and maintains limited contact with them; The applicant has been fully briefed on protecting classified information and has never committed a security violation.

Why the Applicant Prevailed

• The applicant demonstrated strong ties to the U.S. through his education, employment, and family connections.
• He has not provided financial support to family members residing abroad and maintains limited contact with them.
• The applicant has been fully briefed on protecting classified information and has never committed a security violation.

Conditions Referenced

Key Rule Quoted

“A decision to grant or continue an Applicant's request for security clearance may be made only upon a threshold finding that to do so is clearly consistent with the national interest.”

Procedural Posture

• SOR issuedNov 19, 2007
• Answer filedMay 7, 2008
• Hearing heldJul 29, 2008
• Decision dateSep 30, 2008

Cite For

• Mitigating Factors Related to Foreign Influence Under Guideline B
• Importance of Limited Contact with Foreign Relatives in Security Clearance Cases
• Consideration of Applicant's Loyalty and Commitment to U.S. Security Interests