Summary
A 65-year-old U.S. citizen, originally from Iraq, was denied a security clearance under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The applicant had several delinquent debts, including amounts of $542, $1,297, $2,282, $11,201, $2,320, and $1,729. While these financial issues were resolved, the primary concern centered on foreign influence.
The applicant maintained consistent contact with his two sisters, who are resident citizens of Iraq. His sisters and their families are Christian and experience periodic persecution by Islamic extremists. This close relationship was deemed to create a heightened risk of foreign pressure or attempted exploitation, given that terrorists in the Middle East are hostile to U.S. interests and seek intelligence.
Despite the resolution of the financial debts, the administrative judge denied the clearance. The decision highlighted the applicant's two sisters residing in Iraq as creating a heightened risk of foreign influence due to their potential vulnerability to coercion. The applicant's consistent contact with his sisters ultimately negated the applicability of mitigating conditions related to foreign influence.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has two sisters residing in Iraq, creating a heightened risk of foreign influence due to their potential vulnerability to coercion.
- The applicant's consistent contact with his sisters negated the applicability of mitigating conditions related to foreign influence.
Conditions Referenced
- B2.araisedContact with a Foreign Family Member, Business or Professional Associate, Friend, or Other Person Who Is a Citizen of or Resident in a Foreign Country
- B2.braisedConnections to a Foreign Person, Group, Government, or Country That Create a Potential Conflict of Interest
- B8.arejectedThe Nature of the Relationships with Foreign Persons, the Country in Which These Persons Are Located, or the Positions or Activities of Those Persons in That Country Are Such That It Is Unlikely the Individual Will Be Placed in a Position of Having to Choose Between the Interests of a Foreign Individual, Group, Organization, or Government and the Interests of the U.S.
- B8.bappliedThere Is No Conflict of Interest, Either Because the Individual’s Sense of Loyalty or Obligation to the Foreign Person, Group, Government, or Country Is so Minimal, or the Individual Has Such Deep and Longstanding Relationships and Loyalties in the U.S., That the Individual Can Be Expected to Resolve Any Conflict of Interest in Favor of the U.S. InterestThe applicant has a sense of pride and loyalty to the United States, having lived there since 1991.
- B8.crejectedContact or Communication with Foreign Citizens Is so Casual and Infrequent That There Is Little Likelihood That It Could Create a Risk for Foreign Influence or Exploitation
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 issuedMar 30, 2007
- Answer filedMay 28, 2007Notarized response received June 6, 2007
- Hearing heldSep 11, 2007Record left open until September 21, 2007
- Decision dateOct 31, 2007
Cite For
- Foreign Influence Concerns Due to Family Ties in a Foreign Country
- Mitigating Conditions Under AG ¶ 8 Not Applicable Due to the Nature of Relationships with Foreign Family Members
- Financial Considerations Resolved but Insufficient to Mitigate Foreign Influence Risks