Summary
The applicant, a 38-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Jordan, sought a security clearance under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) due to concerns regarding his family ties in Jordan. The judge found that while the applicant had foreign contacts, his strong ties to the U.S. and lack of evidence of coercion or exploitation mitigated the security concerns, leading to a granted decision.
Under Guideline B (Foreign Influence), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant's spouse is a dual citizen who holds a Jordanian passport and maintains contact with her family in Jordan (1.a). Applicant's mother is a citizen and resident of Jordan and maintains contact with Applicant (1.b). Applicant has siblings who are citizens and residents of Jordan and the West Bank (1.c). Applicant's father-in-law and mother-in-law are citizens and residents of Jordan (1.d). Applicant has a brother-in-law who is a citizen and resident of the West Bank (1.e). Applicant has a sister-in-law who is a Jordanian citizen residing in Kuwait (1.f). Applicant's wife maintains contact with her family in Jordan, who do not know about the nature of Applicant's work (1.g). Applicant's family members in Jordan have no connection to the Jordanian government or military (1.h). Applicant has no assets or property in Jordan and has renounced his Jordanian citizenship (1.i). Applicant travels to Jordan for medical reasons and work conferences, maintaining transparency with his employer (1.j). Applicant has strong community ties in the U.S. and has no desire to return to Jordan or the Middle East to live (1.k).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 7(a), AG ¶ 7(b). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 8(b), AG ¶ 8(a), AG ¶ 8(c). The decision turned on the following: The applicant demonstrated strong ties to the U.S. through his education, employment, and naturalization; The applicant's family members in Jordan were not connected to the government or military, reducing the risk of coercion; The applicant's wife was willing to relinquish her Jordanian passport, indicating a commitment to U.S. interests.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant demonstrated strong ties to the U.S. through his education, employment, and naturalization.
- The applicant's family members in Jordan were not connected to the government or military, reducing the risk of coercion.
- The applicant's wife was willing to relinquish her Jordanian passport, indicating a commitment to U.S. interests.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 7(a)raisedContact with Foreign Family Members
- AG ¶ 7(b)raisedConnections to Foreign Persons Creating Potential Conflict of Interest
- AG ¶ 8(b)appliedMinimal Conflict of Interest Due to Strong U.S. Ties
- AG ¶ 8(a)rejectedNature of Relationships with Foreign Persons Unlikely to Create RiskThe applicant's family ties were close enough to raise security concerns.
- AG ¶ 8(c)rejectedCasual and Infrequent Contact with Foreign CitizensThe applicant maintained regular communication with his family in Jordan.
Key Rule Quoted
“The United States has a compelling interest in protecting and safeguarding classified information from any person, organization, or country that is not authorized to have access to it, regardless of whether that person, organization, or country has interests inimical to those of the United States.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 18, 2014
- Answer filed—
- Hearing heldNov 25, 2014
- Decision dateDec 17, 2014
Cite For
- Mitigation of Foreign Influence Concerns Under Guideline B
- Importance of U.S. Ties in Security Clearance Decisions
- Consideration of Family Members' Connections in Foreign Influence Cases