Summary
The 52-year-old applicant, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Syria, faced security concerns under Guideline B due to her close family ties to multiple siblings residing in Syria and Egypt, including a recently retired Syrian general. Despite her claims of limited communication and financial support, the judge found that these connections posed a heightened risk of foreign influence. Consequently, the applicant was denied a security clearance.
Under Guideline B (Foreign Influence), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant’s oldest brother is a citizen and resident of Syria. He has been in the Syrian Merchant Marines for 30 years. She last saw him in 2005, and they communicate on “special occasions . . . holidays.” (1.a). Applicant’s middle brother is also a citizen and resident of Syria. In January of 2015, just two months before her hearing, he retired as a general officer from the Syrian air force. Applicant has spoken to her brother “probably two times” since his retirement (1.b). Applicant’s third, and youngest brother, is a citizen of Syria, but he and his wife reside in Egypt. Applicant sent monies to this brother to help with his family’s transition from Syria to Egypt by way of Turkey. He, like her oldest brother, is in the Merchant Marines. She last saw him in 2005; and in the last year, they communicated “probably two, three times” on “holidays.” (1.c). Applicant’s older sister is a citizen and resident of Syria. She is a retired teacher, living on a retirement pension. In 2014, her sister visited Applicant in the United States “for about four or five months.” Applicant supports her sister financially, sending her $100~$300 on a monthly basis (1.d).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 7(a). The decision turned on the following: The applicant has three siblings who are citizens and residents of Syria, creating a heightened risk of foreign exploitation; The applicant provides financial support to her sister in Syria and has communicated with her recently retired brother, a general in the Syrian armed forces; The applicant's close family ties to Syria raise concerns about potential pressure or coercion.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has three siblings who are citizens and residents of Syria, creating a heightened risk of foreign exploitation.
- The applicant provides financial support to her sister in Syria and has communicated with her recently retired brother, a general in the Syrian armed forces.
- The applicant's close family ties to Syria raise concerns about potential pressure or coercion.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 7(a)appliedForeign Contacts and Interests
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 issuedNov 6, 2014
- Answer filedDec 16, 2014
- Hearing heldApr 9, 2015
- Decision dateMay 29, 2015
Cite For
- Heightened Risk of Foreign Influence Due to Family Ties Under Guideline B
- Financial Support to Foreign Relatives as a Disqualifying Factor
- Limited Communication with Foreign Family Members Does Not Mitigate Security Concerns