Summary
The applicant, a 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Pakistan, faced security concerns under Guideline B (foreign influence), Guideline C (foreign preference), and Guideline F (financial considerations) due to his Pakistani passport, ties to family in Pakistan, and financial debts. The judge found that the applicant mitigated these concerns through his explanations, financial rehabilitation, and relinquishment of his Pakistani passports, resulting in a granted security clearance.
Under Guideline B (Foreign Influence), Guideline C (Foreign Preference), and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant’s wife and children are dual citizens of the United States and Pakistan (2.a). He has four sisters who are citizens of and reside in Pakistan, one of whom is a Pakistani government employee, and that he provides them financial support (2.b). He has two other sisters who are dual citizens of Pakistan and the United States (2.c). His brother is a Pakistani citizen living in the United Arab Emirates (2.d). His mother-in-law is a Pakistani citizen residing in the United States (2.e). He maintains contact with a Pakistani national whom he pays to teach his children the Quran (2.f). He and his wife each own real estate in Pakistan (2.g). After becoming a United States citizen in 2000, Applicant obtained a Pakistani passport in 2015 and that it is valid until 2025 (1.a). Applicant owes $334,085 for five delinquent debts (3.a). Applicant owes $334,085 for five delinquent debts (3.b). Applicant owes $334,085 for five delinquent debts (3.c). Applicant owes $334,085 for five delinquent debts (3.d). Applicant owes $334,085 for five delinquent debts (3.e).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 9, AG ¶ 6, AG ¶ 19. The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 10, AG ¶ 17, AG ¶ 20. The decision turned on the following: The applicant mitigated concerns regarding his Pakistani passport by relinquishing it to his employer's facility security officer; The applicant's ties to family in Pakistan were deemed manageable, as he provided limited financial support and had no direct connections to the Pakistani government; The applicant demonstrated financial rehabilitation by resolving several debts and maintaining a good credit standing.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant mitigated concerns regarding his Pakistani passport by relinquishing it to his employer's facility security officer.
- The applicant's ties to family in Pakistan were deemed manageable, as he provided limited financial support and had no direct connections to the Pakistani government.
- The applicant demonstrated financial rehabilitation by resolving several debts and maintaining a good credit standing.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 9raisedForeign Preference
- AG ¶ 6raisedForeign Influence
- AG ¶ 19raisedFinancial Considerations
- AG ¶ 10appliedForeign Preference
- AG ¶ 17appliedForeign Influence
- AG ¶ 20appliedFinancial Considerations
Key Rule Quoted
“The principal purpose of a security clearance decision is to resolve whether it is clearly consistent with the national interest for an applicant to either receive or continue to have access to classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJul 3, 2016
- Answer filedNot specified
- Hearing heldJan 26, 2017Parties appeared as scheduled.
- Decision dateJul 11, 2017
Cite For
- Mitigation of Foreign Influence Concerns Due to Family Ties Under Guideline B
- Resolution of Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Handling of Foreign Preference Issues with Possession of a Foreign Passport Under Guideline C