ISCR Case No. 01-10128.h1

ÿWPCÈ ˜eÏéêb™>8¾ìˆ'Tí”ë࿤åôaC,':õá71Zàß çÊV’/ÿ¢rÉuðžÅöìnÊ" {Öoy:Ü8mðf|;S‡"ûx úÇó@|ü^²·ò™ä°îâí¢ëØ« †S‚­]Op˜òð~c_ñtˆQ«ó¡k5rBv²ˆ™ái&ÙP(·ŸšQeZ»þ´S³È¼©îB}} Ó:RÔ‘.úBÅPß%íQñÑ´VÎ#Ç:•(È7fª7ÀJáf·ý-õÎ$¾š"Jd]F‡ú¥Óø+GTßL!ZæÜ'½‰º¤ŽpÔèäi kO,Ð4Q Kë#IdùîNNqÕ_údª0l×`tx6fã¹ü`k3B:'®Ùõá#€[ÄTä‚ÚŸwÞžØ /ˆŒ… U÷ÜêéÃÅÃ.†{cºÊ3¼!Tÿë6}¨³>œ=RE¾)žT6û–ØÂtt H#¤™][ú¬ù4¤?f;š5ZÅyÃa|r¯J;‚GÖí%3]_aÔ=íýI3×ß~ìšhį3(}»4Ìž}5pøVe”¡Ü½¾$™Gxú§tÓÐôª¿fQÌiµ®0(à BE% m'#Á>UNÿ %MNS B>U^“wŸ4£·Æ(ÿÿ$¡¡dÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜IBM Infoprint 11250(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX:web3dhrz160€€€dÿÿÿd•Ô4 3|x Ý ƒÿÿ!ÝÝÝÔ_ÔKEYWORD: €Foreign€InfluenceÐ ÐDIGEST:€Applicant€who€is€a€US€citizen€by€birth€who€married€a€former€citizen€and€resident€of€the€PRC, €who€since€became€a€naturalized€US€citizen€with€familyÐ ìì Ðmembers€who€are€citizens€and€residents€of€the€PRC, €mitigates€security€concerns€associated€with€potential€foreign€influence€by€showing€family€members€are€notÐ ØØ Ðin€a€position€of€being€vulnerable€to€coercion€or€pressure€by€PRC€authorities€and€providing€assurances€he€will€promptly€report€any€changes€in€his€familyÐ Ä Ä Ðsituation€to€Government€authorities.€€Clearance€is€granted.€Ð ° ° ÐÔ_ ÔCASENOÔ_ Ô:€01-10128.h1Ð œ œ ÐDATE:€07/30/2004Ð ˆ ˆ ÐÐ ÐÌDATE:€July€30,€2004€Ð L L Ðß A€ ) ° ° x dtEx 2AßÐ 8 8 ÐIn€re:€Ð ( ( ÐÐ ÐÌ--------------------Ð ì ì ÐÔ_ ÔSSNÔ_ Ô:€-----------Ð Ø Ø ÐÐ ÐÌApplicant€for€Security€ClearanceÐ œ œ ÐÐ ÐÌß A€ ) ° ° x dtExÈ 2AßÐ ` ` ЀÔ_ ÔISCRÔ_ Ô€Case€No.€01-10128€Ð P P Ðò òÌÌDECISION€OF€ADMINISTRATIVE€JUDGEó óÐ Ðò òROGER€C.€WESLEYó óÐ ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÌò òAPPEARANCESó óÐ œ œ ÐÐ ÐÌò òFOR€GOVERNMENTó óÐ ` ` " ÐRita€C.€O'Brien,€Department€CounselÐ L L # ÐÐ ÐÌò òFOR€APPLICANTó óÐ # #& Ðò òPro€Seó óÐ ü#ü#' ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÌò òSYNOPSISó óÐ ˜(˜(, ÐÐ ÐÌApplicant€is€a€US€citizen€by€birth€who€is€married€to€a€naturalized€US€citizen,€previously€a€resident€and€citizen€of€the€Peoples€Republic€of€China€(PRC).Ð \+\+/ ÐApplicant's€spouse€has€a€son€and€siblings€who€reside€in€the€PRC€and€stay€in€contact€with€the€spouse.€ €Neither€the€son€nor€the€siblings€are€agents€of€the€PRC€orÐ H,H,0 Ðin€a€position€that€could€realistically€make€them€vulnerable€to€coercion€or€pressure.€ €With€his€demonstrated€trust€developed€with€DSS€and€his€sponsoring€AgencyÐ 4-4-1 Ðabout€his€keeping€them€Ô_ ÔapprisedÔ_ Ô€of€any€event€or€actions€that€could€his€cleared€actions€or€facility€at€risk, €Applicant€mitigates€any€potential€risk€to€undue€foreignÐ . .2 Ðinfluence€concerns€caused€by€the€status€of€his€spouse€and€her€family€members.€ €Clearance€is€granted.ò òó óÐ / /3 ÐÐ ÐÌò òÓ ÓSTATEMENT€OF€CASEó óÐ Ð1Ð16 ÐÓ ÓÐ ÐÐ ÐÔ_ ÔÌOn€December€17,€2003,€the€Defense€Office€of€Hearings€and€Appeals€(DOHA), €pursuant€to€Executive€Order€10865€and€Department€of€Defense€Directive€5220.6Ð Ä Ä Ð(Directive),€dated€January€2,€1992,€issued€a€Statement€of€Reasons€ (SOR)€to€Applicant,€which€detailed€reasons€why€DOHA€could€not€make€the€preliminaryÐ ° ° Ðaffirmative€finding€under€the€Directive€that€it€is€clearly€consistent€with€the€national€interest€to€grant€or€continue€a€security€clearance€for€Applicant,€andÐ œ œ Ðrecommended€referral€to€an€administrative€judge€to€determine€whether€clearance€should€be€granted,€continued,€denied€or€revoked.Ð ˆ ˆ ÐÐ ÐÌApplicant€responded€to€the€SOR€on€January€13,€2004,€and€requested€a€hearing.€ €The€case€was€assigned€to€me€on€March€10,€2004,€and€was€scheduled€for€hearingÐ L L Ðon€April€7,€2004.€A€hearing€was€convened€as€scheduled€for€the€purpose€of€considering€whether€it€is€clearly€consistent€with€the€national€interest€to€grant,Ð 8 8 Ðcontinue,€deny€or€revoke€Applicant's€security€clearance.€€At€hearing,€the€Government's€case€consisted€of€three€exhibits€and€four€documents€covered€by€officialÐ $ $ Ðnotice;€Applicant€relied€on€three€witnesses€(including€himself)€and€three€exhibits.€€The€transcript€(R.T.)€of€the€proceedings€was€received€on€April€19,€2004.Ð ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÌò òÓ ÓPROCEDURAL€ISSUESó óÐ ¬ ¬ ÐÓ ÓÐ ÐÐ ÐÌAt€hearing,€Department€Counsel€requested€official€notice€be€taken€of€the€following€documents:€a€US€State€Department€consular€information€sheet,€anÐ \ \ Ðintelligence€threat€handbook,€and€annual€reports€to€Congress€in€2000€and€2001,€respectively,€by€the€ONCE.€€There€being€no€objection€from€Applicant, €and€goodÐ H H Ðcause€being€shown,€official€notice€was€taken€of€these€material€pursuant€to€Rule€201€of€F.R.Evi.€€Applicant,€in€turn, €requested€official€notice€of€a€summary€of€theÐ 4 4 ÐTiananmen€Square€uprising€and€the€more€recent€whistle€blowing€efforts€of€a€Chinese€Army€doctor€about€the€Government's€attempted€cover-up€of€the€SARSÐ Ðepidemic.€€Applicant's€request€was€denied,€absent€documentation€of€the€source€and€accuracy€of€the€accounts€in€the€paper€(R.T.,€at€32-33).Ð ÐÐ ÐÌBefore€the€close€of€the€hearing, €Applicant€requested€leave€to€keep€the€record€open€to€permit€him€the€opportunity€to€supplement€the€record€with€copies€ofÐ Ð Ð Ðredacted€DOHA€decisions€addressing€Guideline€B€issues€affecting€Applicants€with€immediate€and€extended€family€members€from€the€People's€Republic€ofÐ ¼ ¼ ÐChina€(PRC).€€There€being€no€objections€from€the€Government,€and€good€cause€being€demonstrated, €Applicant€was€afforded€7€days€to€supplement€the€recordÐ ¨ ¨ Ðwith€the€redacted€decisions.€Within€the€time€permitted, €Applicant€supplied€ten€redacted€DOHA€decisions,€which€are€accepted€for€non-binding€guidance€purposesÐ ” ” ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÌÓ Óò òSUMMARY€OF€PLEADINGSÐ 0!0!$ ÐÓ Óó óÐ ÐÐ ÐÌUnder€Guideline€B,€Applicant€is€alleged€(a) €to€have€a€spouse€who€worked€for€the€Government€of€the€PRC€at€the€Academy€of€Chinese€and€Foreign€Culture€priorÐ à$à$( Ðto€coming€to€the€US,€(b) €to€have€met€his€spouse€through€a€singles€advertisement€placed€in€the€World€Journal,€a€Chinese€language€newspaper€sold€in€the€US,€inÐ Ì%Ì%) Ðabout€1995,€ð ð)€to€have€relatives€of€his€spouse€(her€son,€two€brothers€and€a€sister)€who€are€citizens€of€and€reside€in€the€PRC,€and€(d) €to€have€one€brother€of€hisÐ ¸&¸&* Ðspouse€who€has€been€employed€by€a€Chinese€Government-owned€plant.Ð ¤'¤'+ ÐÐ ÐÌFor€his€answer€to€the€SOR,€Applicant€admitted€each€of€the€allegations€without€explanation.Ð h*h*. ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÌÓ Óò òFINDINGS€OF€FACTÐ / /3 ÐÓ Óó óÐ ÐÐ ÐÐ È1È16 ÐApplicant€is€a€61-year€old€self- employed€linguist€defense€contractor€who€seeks€to€obtain€a€security€clearance.€€The€allegations€covered€in€the€SOR€and€admittedÐ Ðto€by€Applicant€are€incorporated€herein€by€reference€and€adopted€as€relevant€and€material€findings.€€Additional€findings€follow.Ð ìì ÐÐ ÐÌò òApplicant's€backgroundó óÐ ° ° ÐÐ ÐÌApplicant€joined€the€USAF€(AF)€in€1960€after€graduating€from€high€school.€ €Upon€being€accepted€for€language€school,€he€was€chosen€to€attend€a€prestigiousÐ t t Ðstate€university€(see€ex.€1).€ €While€in€college€he€studied€Chinese€language€and€politics.€€Later€he€served€in€the€Taiwan€AF€as€a€language€specialist€detailed€fromÐ ` ` Ðhis€own€AF€unit.€€After€experiencing€a€drinking€problem€during€his€tenure€with€a€US€security€agency,€he€voluntarily€resigned€from€left€public€service€(aroundÐ L L Ð1982).€€His€re-application€to€the€security€agency€in€1990€was€denied€because€of€his€drinking€problem€and€issues€of€financial€irresponsibility.Ð 8 8 ÐÐ ÐÌSince€1984€Applicant€has€provided€Chinese€logistical€support€to€his€sponsoring€US€agency€(the€Agency).€ €In€July€1999,€the€Agency€sponsored€Applicant€in€hisÐ ü ü Ðseeking€to€obtain€a€facility€clearance€(see€ex.€A).€€Over€the€past€ €nine€years€he€has€made€several€trips€with€his€wife€(W)€to€the€PRC€to€see€W's€family€members.Ð è è ÐHe€last€traveled€to€the€PRC€in€2003€to€attend€the€wedding€of€W's€step€son.€Ð Ô Ô Ð€ÌThe€Agency€credits€Applicant€with€consistently€high€quality€work.€ €In€2003€he€processed€five€unqualified€translations€totaling€over€309,000€words.€€During€theÐ ¬ ¬ Ðsame€year€he€provided€translation€support€on€four€classified€assignments€totaling€407,000€words.€€The€Agency€cautions€that€it€is€very€difficult€to€find€ChineseÐ ˜ ˜ Ðlinguists,€even€more€so€to€find€linguists€with€the€kind€of€in-depth€experience€and€critical€knowledge€that€Applicant€possesses.€ €When€the€Agency€was€notifiedÐ " " Ðby€DSS€that€Applicant's€interim€personal€security€clearance€had€been€suspended€by€DOHA€pending€resolution€of€allegations€by€DOHA,€Applicant's€facilityÐ p p Ðclearance€was€likewise€suspended€(R.T.,€at€49-50).€€The€Agency,€in€turn,€requested€reinstatement€of€Applicant's€facility€clearance€(see€ex.€A;€R.T.,€at€44- 45),Ð \ \ Ðciting€his€valued€translation€contributions€and€demonstrated€honesty€and€trustworthiness.€€Ð H H ÐÐ ÐÌò òApplicant's€family€connectionsó óÐ ÐÐ ÐÌApplicant€is€married€to€W€who€he€met€through€a€friend€of€hers€living€in€the€US.€ €This€friend€who€had€placed€an€advertisement€in€W's€behalf,€seeking€marriageÐ Ð Ð Ðto€a€US€citizen€(unbeknownst€to€at€the€time)€in€the€World€Journal, €a€Chinese€newspaper€sold€in€the€US€in€about€1995€(see€ex.€A;€R.T.,€at€74).€€This€friend€(whoÐ ¼ ¼ Ðreceived€her€graduate€training€in€the€US) €recommended€Applicant€to€W€along€with€two€other€candidates€(see€ex.€C).€Ð ¨ ¨ ÐÐ ÐÌW€is€a€physician€by€training€who€survived€the€Tiananmen€student€uprising€in€1989.€€W€was€one€of€the€anti-Government€participants€in€the€uprising€and€ €treatedÐ l l ! Ðmany€of€the€wounded€at€the€scene€before€being€shot€in€the€leg€herself€trying€to€run€from€Government€troops€in€Tiananmen€Square.€ €When€the€governmentÐ X X " Ðtroops€opened€fire€on€the€protesting€students, €W€was€standing€in€an€open€field€and€was€hit€with€real€bullets€she€thought€to€be€otherwise.€€Ultimately,€she€was€runÐ D D # Ðdown€and€caught€by€Government€troops.€€Once€captured,€€she€and€other€participants€were€beaten€and€had€their€heads€shaved€in€the€middle€to€embarrass€them.Ð 0!0!$ ÐLater,€W€went€to€the€local€hospital€to€see€participants€who€had€been€hurt€but€was€denied€entrance€by€guarding€troops€who€opened€fire.€€ €Confined€to€a€localÐ " "% Ðhouse€for€a€month,€she€feared€prosecution€for€a€time€for€helping€the€protesting€students€(R.T.,€at€80-81).€€€€€€€Ð # #& ÐÐ ÐÌAfter€the€cultural€revolution€of€1989,€W€thought€about€going€to€the€US.€ €She€applied€to€a€prestigious€American€university€in€1991€and€was€accepted€for€aÐ Ì%Ì%) Ðscholarship.€ €But€because€of€her€husband's€medical€problems€at€the€time,€she€was€unable€to€leave.€€While€living€and€practicing€medicine€in€China,€WÐ ¸&¸&* Ðspecialized€in€obstetrics.€€Between€about€1993€and€1995,€she€worked€for€a€non-government€agency€known€as€the€Academy€of€Chinese€Culture.€€ApplicantÐ ¤'¤'+ Ðworked€as€a€business€management€specialist€for€the€Academy,€taking€advantage€of€her€prior€business€management€training€at€the€local€university.Ð ( (, ÐÐ ÐÌApplicant€met€W€face€to€face€for€the€time€in€1995€on€one€of€his€prearranged€visits€to€China.€ €When€Applicant€first€met€W€he€was€doing€no€classified€work€andÐ T+T+/ Ðpersuaded€her€to€come€to€the€US.€€W,€in€turn, €moved€to€the€US€in€1995€at€the€age€of€49€and€married€Applicant€the€same€year.€€Once€in€the€US,€W€applied€for€anÐ @,@,0 Ðacupuncturist€license€in€the€state€where€she€and€Applicant€were€residing€and€received€her€license€the€same€year.€€W€belongs€to€a€local€Chinese€medicalÐ ,-,-1 Ðassociation€in€the€US,€but€does€not€play€an€active€role€in€the€association's€organization€or€activities.Ð . .2 ÐÐ ÐÌIn€2001€W€asked€Applicant€to€sponsor€her€son€to€come€to€the€US.€W€wanted€her€whole€family€to€be€together.€ €That€same€year€W's€son€did€come€to€the€US€andÐ Ü0Ü05 Ðstayed€a€short€time€(showing€no€interest€in€any€of€Applicant's€linguist€work) €before€returning€to€China.€€While€living€in€China€the€son€studied€in€a€ChineseÐ È1È16 Ðlanguage€institute.€€Through€Applicant€the€son€learned€English.€ €The€son€attended€the€language€institute€for€just€one€and€a€half€years€before€withdrawing€severalÐ Ðyears€ago.€ €The€son€married€a€local€Chinese€woman€in€2003€and€still€lives€in€the€PRC,€residing€in€W's€owned€residence€(R.T.,€at€92).€€He€is€currently€a€drivingÐ ìì Ðinstructor€for€a€private€company€and€has€little€known€contact€with€the€PRC€government.€€Although€he€still€holds€a€valid€green€card€for€reentry€into€the€US,€heÐ Ø Ø Ðhas€made€no€decision€about€returning.€€While€Applicant€and€W€expect€the€son€to€return€to€the€US€within€a€year,€ €it€is€uncertain€at€this€time€whether€he€will.Ð Ä Ä ÐÐ ÐÌW's€sister,€two€brothers€and€son€don't€work€for€the€PRC's€government.€ €Her€sister€works€for€a€private€company€that€has€no€known€business€contacts€with€theÐ ˆ ˆ Ðgovernment.€ €Her€older€brother€is€an€engineer€for€a€private€contractor;€while€her€younger€brother€is€a€taxi€driver,€who€owns€his€business.€€W€keeps€in€touch€withÐ t t Ðher€siblings€once€or€twice€a€year€around€Christmas.€€She€maintains€regular€telephone€and€written€contact€with€her€son.Ð ` ` ÐÐ ÐÌW's€father€and€mother€(both€since€deceased)€were€a€professor€and€artist,€respectfully,€and€both€were€educated€in€France.€ €Under€the€PRC€both€were€set€to€workÐ $ $ Ðon€a€farm;€they€were€targeted€by€the€PRC€because€they€were€considered€well€educated€and€middle/upper€class€ (R.T.,€at€88).€€Due€to€cultural€differences,€W€wasÐ Ðlimited€by€the€government€to€menial€hospital€jobs€in€high€school.€ €Her€siblings€were€sent€to€remote€parts€of€the€country€to€do€labor€work.€€Her€father€remainedÐ ü ü Ðafraid€of€returning€to€the€country's€capital.€ €Neither€parent€owned€any€property€in€China€that€W€could€potentially€inherit.€Ð è è ÐÐ ÐÌApplicant€applied€for€US€citizenship€in€1995.€ €When€her€Chinese€passport€expired€in€1998,€she€did€not€renew€it.€€€W€became€a€naturalized€US€citizen€in€AprilÐ ¬ ¬ Ð2000€and€renounced€her€Chinese€citizenship€as€a€condition€to€accepting€her€US€citizenship.€€She€has€since€voted€in€US€elections€and€€is€extremely€proud€ofÐ ˜ ˜ Ðbecoming€a€US€citizen€and€having€the€right€to€vote€(R.T.,€at€82).€€If€ever€asked€by€a€PRC€official€to€collect€information€on€the€US,€she€would€decline.€ €SheÐ " " Ðconsiders€the€US€to€be€her€one€and€only€country.€ €She€is€unaware€of€any€PRC€investigations€of€her€or€any€members€of€her€immediate€family€residing€in€theÐ p p ÐPRC, €and€has€no€reason€to€believe€any€of€her€family€members€could€be€coerced€or€pressured€(R.T.,€at€98-99).Ð \ \ ÐÐ ÐÌW€has€returned€to€China€on€several€occasions€since€her€arrival€in€the€US€in€1995:€in€1996,€1998,€2000€and€2003€to€see€her€brothers€and€sister€and€attend€herÐ Ðson's€wedding€€in€2003.€€Only€her€son€has€ever€visited€the€US.€€None€of€Applicant's€siblings€have€ever€visited€the€country.€€€On€these€trips, €Applicant€hasÐ Ðaccompanied€her.€Applicant€last€traveled€to€the€PRC€in€2003€to€attend€the€wedding€of€W's€step€son.€€Ð ø ø ÐÐ ÐÌò òApplicant's€DSS€approvalsó óÐ ¼ ¼ ÐÐ ÐÌ€A€US€Agency€has€sponsored€Applicant's€current€request€for€a€facility€clearance€and€is€on€record€of€holding€him€in€high€personal€regard, €both€for€his€substantiveÐ € € Ðabilities€and€his€trustworthiness.€€DSS'€agent€(Agent€B) €responsible€for€evaluating€Applicant's€facility€clearance€eligibility€within€the€confines€of€his€home€isÐ l l ! Ðimpressed€with€Applicant's€honesty€and€trustworthiness€(R.T.,€at€43-44).€€While€it€is€unusual€for€DSS€to€volunteer€any€public€support€for€an€applicant€in€aÐ X X " Ðclearance€proceeding,€Agent€B€considers€Applicant€to€be€a€worthy€exception€who€warrants€full€DSS€support€(R.T.,€at€68-69).€ €Acknowledging€that€he€usuallyÐ D D # Ðdoesn't€see€SF-86€applications€on€the€facility€side€of€DSS, €he€became€familiar€with€Applicant's€personal€clearance€application€in€this€case€because€Applicant€is€aÐ 0!0!$ Ðsole€contractor€(R.T.,€at€47-48).€ €Applicant's€facility€clearance€application€was€actually€commenced€prior€to€Applicant's€transmittal€of€his€SF-86€to€DSS.€Ð " "% ÐApplicant€needs€his€interim€clearance€(since€suspended)€before€his€facility€clearance€can€be€cleared.Ð # #& ÐÐ ÐÌDSS'€facility€clearance€review€office€supervises€cleared€industrial€facilities€for€compliance€with€DoD€classified€safeguarding€and€monitoring€requirements.€€AsÐ Ì%Ì%) Ða€part€of€the€sponsoring€Agency's€ongoing€monitoring€procedures,€Applicant€is€required€to€log€classified€material€and€return€hard€copies€to€the€Agency.€ €TheÐ ¸&¸&* ÐAgency€requires€these€cautionary€procedures€because€Applicant's€home€lacks€a€facility€to€store€classified€material€in€accordance€with€the€Agency'sÐ ¤'¤'+ Ðspecifications.€€Applicant€does€maintain€a€locked€office€to€satisfy€the€Agency's€restricted€requirements.€€Since€Applicant€has€an€only€user€password€required€toÐ ( (, Ðlog€in,€only€Applicant€can€use€the€secured€hardware,€and€only€after€he€takes€the€classified€computer€out€of€his€safe€and€logs€in.Ð |)|)- ÐÐ ÐÌApplicant's€classified€computer€system€is€subject€to€annual€checks.€€No€random€DSS€visits€are€conducted€like€DSS€used€to€do€before€the€institution€of€theÐ @,@,0 ÐNISPOM€(R.T.,€at€66).€€Except€for€annual€checks,€DSS€will€get€involved€only€if€there€is€a€reported€violation,€or€change€of€address.€ €The€whole€classifiedÐ ,-,-1 Ðprogram€is€predicated€on€trust.€€Since€Applicant€works€alone,€DSS€wouldn't€necessarily€know€of€a€violation.€ €Based€on€Applicant's€record€of€keeping€DSSÐ . .2 Ðapprised€of€developments€with€his€wife€and€step€son€and€overall€history€of€security€compliance€with€Government€€agencies€he€has€been€associated€with€in€theÐ / /3 Ðpast,€he€can€be€expected€to€keep€DSS€informed€of€any€family€changes€or€classified€issues€in€the€future.Ð ð/ð/4 ÐÐ ÐÐ È1È16 ÐApplicant€was€fully€cooperative€and€informative€with€Agent€B€about€the€background€of€W€and€her€family€members€(inclusive€of€her€son)€and€was€granted€aÐ Ðfacility€clearance€in€September€2001.€€Following€DSS'€approval€of€a€facility€clearance€for€Applicant€in€2001,€Applicant's€step€son€moved€in€with€he€and€W.Ð ìì ÐAgent€B€learned€of€the€step€son's€whereabouts€shortly€after€the€latter's€arrival€(R.T.,€at€57-59).€ €Upon€his€being€notified€of€the€step€son's€taking€up€residence€withÐ Ø Ø ÐApplicant€and€W, €Agent€B€passed€the€information€on€to€the€personal€security€investigation€(PSI)€side€of€DSS€(R.T.,€at€60).€€Agent€B€found€nothing€in€theÐ Ä Ä Ðbackground€of€either€that€caused€he€or€the€Agency€to€deny€a€facility€clearance€to€Applicant€(R.T.,€at€60).€€Although,€he€did€not€conduct€a€full€backgroundÐ ° ° Ðinvestigation€on€either€W€or€her€son.Ð œ œ ÐÐ ÐÌSince€notifying€PSI, €Agent€B€never€heard€anything€back€from€PSI€about€the€step€son's€background€status.€€Should€the€step€son€ever€return€to€the€US,€ApplicantÐ ` ` Ðcommits€to€supporting€him.€€But€in€the€event€the€step€son€were€to€return,€Applicant€€would€install€a€secure€restricted€area€within€the€residence.€€At€this€time,Ð L L Ðhowever,€Applicant€considers€it€speculative€as€to€whether€or€not€the€step€son€will€leave€the€PRC€to€rejoin€Applicant€and€W.Ð 8 8 ÐÐ ÐÌò òCountry€status€of€the€PRCó óÐ ü ü ÐÐ ÐÌWhile€not€a€country€acclaimed€to€be€hostile€to€US€persons€and€interests, €the€PRC€maintains€a€relationship€that€is€more€competitive€than€cooperative.€€The€PRCÐ À À Ðis€known€to€use€its€intelligence€services€to€gather€information€about€the€US€and€to€obtain€advanced€technologies.€€The€PRC€actively€monitors€internationalÐ ¬ ¬ Ðcommunications€satellites€from€maintained€intercept€facilities,€in€addition€to€collecting€information€on€US€military€operations€and€exercises.€ €Examples€of€PRCÐ ˜ ˜ Ðeconomic€espionage€are€cited€in€the€ONCE€Annual€Report€to€Congress€in€2001€(official€notice€taken).€ €Most€of€the€examples€of€illegally€exported€technology€toÐ " " Ðthe€PRC€involved€high€tech€equipment€and€devices€used€in€missile€and€aircraft€guidance€systems,€highly€sensitive€weapons€parts,€infrared€cameras€and€missileÐ p p Ðmicrochips.€Ð \ \ ÐÐ ÐÌEstablished€in€1949,€the€PRC€with€over€1.3€billion€people€is€the€world's€most€populous€country.€ €Today€it€continues€to€undergo€rapid€economic€and€socialÐ Ðchange.€€Political€power,€however,€ €remains€centralized€in€the€Chinese€Communist€Party€with€little€indication€of€any€change€in€the€foreseeable€future.€€As€aÐ Ðcorollary€of€its€authoritarian€roots,€the€PRC€has€never€been€known€for€a€positive€human€rights€record€among€Western€nations€and€international€human€rightsÐ ø ø Ðgroups.€ €Part€of€this€can€be€explained€in€terms€of€the€PRC's€lack€of€any€cognizable€tradition€for€respect€for€developing€democracies€and€the€rule€of€law.Ð ä ä ÐÐ ÐÌExamples€of€human€rights€abuses€are€many€in€the€Consular€Information€Sheet€produced€by€the€US€State€Department€(official€notice€taken).€ €PRC€securityÐ ¨ ¨ Ðpersonnel,€for€example,€are€known€to€place€foreign€government€officials,€journalists, €and€business€people€with€access€to€advance€proprietary€technology€underÐ ” ” Ðsurveillance.€ €Hotel€rooms€and€personal€computing€devices€for€these€categories€are€sometimes€searched.€Ð € € ÐÐ ÐÌò òApplicant's€character€referencesó óÐ D D # ÐÐ ÐÌApplicant€is€held€in€high€regard€by€translation€managers€of€US€agencies€who€have€worked€with€him€on€translations€and€value€his€translation€ability, €his€honestyÐ # #& Ðand€his€trustworthiness€(see€exs.€A€and€C).€€The€Agency€credits€Applicant€with€consistently€high€quality€work.€Ð ô#ô#' ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÌÓ Óò òPOLICIESó óÐ ( (, ÐÓ ÓÐ ÐÐ ÐÌThe€Adjudicative€Guidelines€of€the€Directive€(Change€4)€list€Guidelines€to€be€considered€by€judges€in€the€decision€making€process€covering€DOHA€cases.Ð @,@,0 ÐThese€Guidelines€require€the€judge€to€consider€all€of€the€"Conditions€that€could€raise€a€security€concern€and€may€be€disqualifying"€ (Disqualifying€Conditions),Ð ,-,-1 Ðif€any,€and€all€of€the€"Mitigating€Conditions,"€if€any,€before€deciding€whether€or€not€a€security€clearance€should€be€granted, €continued€or€denied.€€TheÐ . .2 ÐGuidelines€do€not€require€the€judge€to€assess€these€factors€exclusively€in€arriving€at€a€decision.€ €In€addition€to€the€relevant€Adjudicative€Guidelines,€judges€mustÐ / /3 Ðtake€into€account€the€pertinent€considerations€for€assessing€extenuation€and€mitigation€set€forth€in€E.2.2€of€the€Adjudicative€Process€of€Enclosure€2€of€theÐ ð/ ð/4 ÐDirective,€which€are€intended€to€assist€the€judges€in€reaching€a€fair€and€impartial€common€sense€decision.Ð Ü0Ü05 ÐÐ È1È16 ÐÌViewing€the€issues€raised€and€evidence€as€a€whole,€the€following€adjudication€policy€factors€are€pertinent€herein:Ð ìì ÐÐ ÐÌÓ Óò òForeign€Influenceó óÐ ° ° ÐÓ ÓÐ ÐÐ ÐÌThe€Concern: €A€security€risk€may€exist€when€an€individual's€immediate€family,€including€co-habitants,€and€other€persons€to€whom€he€or€she€may€be€bound€byÐ ` ` Ðaffection,€influence,€or€are€obligation€are€not€citizens€of€the€United€States€or€may€be€subject€to€duress.€€These€situations€could€create€the€potential€for€foreignÐ L L Ðinfluence€that€could€result€in€the€compromise€of€classified€information.€ €Contacts€with€citizens€of€other€countries€or€financial€interests€in€other€countries€are€alsoÐ 8 8 Ðrelevant€to€security€determinations€if€they€make€an€individual€potentially€vulnerable€to€coercion,€exploitation,€or€pressure.Ð $ $ ÐÐ ÐÌò òDisqualifying€Conditions:ó óÐ è è ÐÐ ÐÌDC€1:€An€immediate€family€member, €or€a€person€to€whom€the€individual€has€close€ties€of€affection€or€obligation,€is€a€citizen€of,€or€resident€or€present€in,€aÐ ¬ ¬ Ðforeign€country.Ð ˜ ˜ ÐÐ ÐÌDC€2:€€Sharing€living€quarters€with€a€person€or€persons,€regardless€of€their€citizenship€status, €if€the€potential€for€adverse€foreign€influence€or€duress€exists.Ð \ \ ÐÐ ÐÌDC€3:€Relatives,€cohabitants, €or€associates€who€are€connected€with€any€foreign€government.Ð ÐÐ ÐÌò òMitigating€Conditions:ó óÐ ä ä ÐÐ ÐÌMC€1:€A€determination€that€the€immediate€family€members,€co-habitant€or€associate€€are€not€agents€of€a€foreign€power€or€in€a€position€to€be€exploited€by€aÐ ¨ ¨ Ðforeign€power€in€a€way€that€could€force€the€individual€to€choose€between€loyalty€to€the€persons€involved€and€the€United€States.Ð ” ” ÐÐ ÐÌMC€4:€The€individual€has€promptly€reported€to€proper€authorities€all€contacts,€requests, €or€threats€from€persons€or€organizations€from€a€foreign€country,€as€required.Ð X X " ÐÐ ÐÌMC€6:€Foreign€financial€interests€are€minimal€and€not€sufficient€to€affect€the€individual's€security€responsibilities.Ð " "% ÐÐ ÐÌÓ Óò òBurden€of€Proofó ó€€Ð à$à$( ÐÓ ÓÐ ÐÐ ÐÌBy€virtue€of€the€precepts€framed€by€the€Directive, €a€decision€to€grant€or€continue€an€Applicant's€request€for€security€clearance€may€be€made€only€upon€aÐ ”(”(, Ðthreshold€finding€that€to€do€so€is€clearly€consistent€with€the€national€interest.€€Because€the€Directive€requires€Administrative€Judges€to€make€a€common€senseÐ €)€)- Ðappraisal€of€the€evidence€accumulated€in€the€record,€the€ultimate€determination€of€an€applicant's€eligibility€for€a€security€clearance€depends,€in€large€part, €on€theÐ l*l*. Ðrelevance€and€materiality€of€that€evidence.€As€with€all€adversary€proceedings, €the€Judge€may€draw€only€those€inferences€which€have€a€reasonable€and€logicalÐ X+X+/ Ðbasis€from€the€evidence€of€record.€€Conversely, €the€Judge€cannot€draw€factual€inferences€that€are€grounded€on€speculation€or€conjecture.Ð D,D,0 ÐÐ ÐÌThe€Government's€initial€burden€is€twofold: €(1)€It€must€prove€any€controverted€fact[s]€alleged€in€the€Statement€of€Reasons€and€(2)€it€must€demonstrate€that€theÐ / /3 Ðfacts€proven€have€a€material€bearing€to€the€applicant's€eligibility€to€obtain€or€maintain€a€security€clearance.€€The€required€showing€of€material€bearing,€however,Ð ô/ô/4 Ðdoes€not€require€the€Government€to€affirmatively€demonstrate€that€the€applicant€has€actually€mishandled€or€abused€classified€information€before€it€can€deny€orÐ à0à05 Ðrevoke€aÐ Ì1Ì16 Ðdeliberately€or€inadvertently€fail€to€safeguard€classified€information.Ð ÐÐ ÐÌOnce€the€Government€meets€its€initial€burden€of€proof€of€establishing€admitted€or€controverted€facts, €the€burden€of€proof€shifts€to€the€applicant€for€the€purposeÐ Ä Ä Ðof€establishing€his€or€her€security€worthiness€through€evidence€of€refutation, €extenuation€or€mitigation€of€the€Government's€case.Ð ° ° ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÌÓ Óò òCONCLUSIONSó óÐ L L ÐÓ ÓÐ ÐÐ ÐÌApplicant€is€a€US€citizen€by€birth€who€married€an€emigre€from€the€PRC€in€1995,€who€was€naturalized€as€a€US€citizen€in€2001.€ €Applicant€is€a€highly€regardedÐ ü ü ÐChinese€linguist€whose€facility€application€was€initially€approved€by€DSS, €only€to€be€revoked€in€2003€following€notice€of€denial€of€Applicant's€interim€personalÐ è è Ðsecurity€clearance.€€ €Both€Applicant's€sponsoring€Agency€and€the€DSS€agent€who€investigated€Applicant's€facility€clearance€eligibility€as€a€sole€person€facilityÐ Ô Ô Ðapprove€of€Applicant's€granting€of€a€facility€clearance.€€Security€issues€of€concern€to€the€Government€comprise€focus€on€W's€background€while€a€resident€andÐ À À Ðcitizen€of€the€PRC€and€the€current€status€of€her€siblings€and€son€who€are€residents€and€citizens€of€the€PRC, €a€country€known€to€engage€in€economic€dataÐ ¬ ¬ Ðcollection€in€the€US.€Ð ˜ ˜ ÐÐ ÐÌGovernment€urges€security€concerns€over€risks€that€Applicant's€spouse€(now€a€naturalized€US€citizen€who€renounced€her€own€Chinese€citizenship),€her€son€andÐ \ \ Ðsiblings€(who€are€citizens€and€residents€of€the€PRC) €might€be€subject€to€undue€foreign€influence€by€PRC€authorities€to€access€classified€information€inÐ H H ÐApplicant's€possession€or€control.€ €Because€Applicant's€extended€family€members€reside€in€the€PRC,€they€present€potential€security€risks€covered€byÐ 4 4 ÐDisqualifying€Condition€1€ (DC€1)€of€the€Adjudication€Guidelines€for€foreign€influence.€€The€citizenship/residence€status€of€these€relatives€in€the€PRC€poseÐ Ðsome€potential€concerns€for€Applicant€because€of€the€risks€of€undue€foreign€influence€that€could€compromise€classified€information€under€Applicant'sÐ Ðpossession€and/or€control.€€DC€2€(sharing€living€quarters)€has€possible€application€only€because€of€the€step€son's€prior€residing€with€Applicant€and€W.€€But€theÐ ø ø Ðcondition€would€appear€to€have€very€limited€applicability€here€due€to€the€step€son's€short€stay€with€Applicant€and€W€and€his€return€to€the€PRC€in€2001€amidstÐ ä ä Ðvery€speculative€prospects€for€returning.€€DC€3€(relatives,€etc€connected€with€any€foreign€government) €is€asked€for€by€Department€Counsel€due€to€W's€ChineseÐ Ð Ð Ðcitizenship€status€for€the€first€five€years€of€her€marriage€to€Applicant.€ €W€had€no€known€relationship€with€the€PRC€during€her€marriage€to€Applicant€(which€DCÐ ¼ ¼ Ð3€speaks€to),€however, €and€no€identified€past€relationship€with€the€PRC.€€DC€3€may€not€be€applied€under€these€facts€and€circumstances.Ð ¨ ¨ ÐÐ ÐÌFrom€what€is€known€from€the€accounts€of€Applicant,€his€wife€and€Agent€B€of€DSS,€neither€W€nor€any€of€her€immediate€family€members€(viz.,€her€son, €sisterÐ l l ! Ðand€two€brothers)€residing€in€the€PRC€have€any€financial€or€political€affiliations€with€the€PRC's€government, €have€any€history€to€date€of€being€subjected€to€anyÐ X X " Ðcoercion€or€influence,€or€appear€to€be€vulnerable€to€the€same.€ €The€wife€herself€demonstrated€great€courage€and€heroism€under€fire€when€she€went€to€the€aid€ofÐ D D # Ðprotesting€students€at€Tiananmen€Square€in€1989.€ €By€her€accounts€and€those€who€have€investigated€her€and€vouch€for€her€trustworthiness€(especially€ApplicantÐ 0!0!$ Ðand€Agent€B) €she€has€become€completely€dedicated€to€preserving€US€political€and€economic€interests€here€and€as€they€intersect€with€PRC€political€andÐ " "% Ðeconomic€interests.€€Ð # #& ÐÐ ÐÌWhile€W's€ €son€and€siblings€residing€in€the€PRC€might€theoretically€be€vulnerable€to€pressure€or€compromise€by€PRC€authorities,€the€phrase€in€MC€1€("in€aÐ Ì%Ì%) Ðposition€to€be€exploited€by€a€foreign€power")€must€be€construed€to€encompass€realistic€possibilities,€not€merely€theoretical€ones,€if€the€mitigating€condition€is€toÐ ¸&¸&* Ðavoid€a€per€se€result.€€Nothing€in€Guideline€B's€coverage€suggests€the€drafters€intended€per€se€results€as€to€any€of€the€disqualifying€or€mitigating€conditions. €€AÐ ¤'¤'+ Ðreasonable,€common€sense€interpretation€must,€accordingly, €be€read€into€the€words€"in€a€position€to€be€exploited,"€in€order€to€make€the€mitigating€conditionÐ ( (, Ðmeaningful.€€Ð |)|)- ÐÐ ÐÌThe€PRC,€although€a€country€that€in€the€past€has€targeted€the€US€for€economic€and€proprietary€data€collection,€and€which€lacks€any€demonstrated€history€ofÐ @,@,0 Ðhuman€rights€and€respect€for€the€rule€of€law€by€most€published€accounts, €still€continues€to€maintain€strong€diplomatic€interests€with€the€US€and€has€shown€itsÐ ,-,-1 Ðcapacity€to€be€helpful€in€strategic€efforts€to€suppress€nuclear€arms€threats€in€the€region.€€Ð . .2 ÐÐ ÐÌThe€Adjudicative€Guidelines€governing€collateral€clearances€do€not€dictate€per€se€results€or€mandate€particular€outcomes€for€applicants€with€relatives€who€areÐ Ü0Ü05 Ðcitizens/residents€of€foreign€countries€in€general.€€What€is€considered€to€be€an€acceptable€risk€in€one€foreign€country€may€not€be€in€another.€ €While€foreignÐ È1È16 Ðinfluence€cases€must€by€practical€necessity€be€weighed€on€a€case-by-case€basis, €guidelines€are€available€for€referencing€in€the€supplied€materials€and€countryÐ Ðinformation€about€the€PRC€through€the€materials€accepted€in€the€record€through€official€notice.Ð ìì ÐÐ ÐÌAs€for€security€concerns€associated€with€the€presence€of€Applicant's€extended€family€members€in€the€PRC,€any€realistic€risk€of€a€hostage€situation€or€undueÐ ° ° Ðforeign€influence€brought€in€the€hopes€of€eliciting€either€classified€information€or€economic€or€proprietary€data€out€of€Applicant€is€lacking.€ €Applicant€has€beenÐ œ œ Ðvouched€for€by€not€only€the€Agency€who€sponsored€his€facility€clearance, €but€Agent€B€who€has€reviewed€both€Applicant€and€W's€background.€€€Should€W's€sonÐ ˆ ˆ Ðreturn€to€the€US€and€choose€to€live€with€Applicant€and€W, €steps€might€need€to€be€considered€at€that€time€to€neutralize€any€potential€access€of€the€son€toÐ t t ÐApplicant's€safeguarded€classified€materials.€ €At€the€present€time,€though,€the€son's€return€is€quite€speculative€and€at€this€point€hypothetical,€which€the€AppealÐ ` ` ÐBoard€has€never€required€factoring€in€the€process€of€making€€safe€predictive€judgment€determinations€when€€appraising€security€risks€associated€with€foreignÐ L L Ðinfluence€issues.€€See€ISCR€Case€No.€02-09892€(July€15,€2004).€ €And€based€on€Applicant's€record€of€reporting€changes€in€his€family€status€and€developments€inÐ 8 8 Ðhis€classified€document€management, €he€can€be€expected€to€report€any€material€changes€in€the€future€in€any€situation€material€to€his€safeguarding€classifiedÐ $ $ Ðinformation.€€Applicant€may, €accordingly,€take€advantage€of€MC€4(€promptly€reported€to€proper€authorities)€of€the€Guidelines.Ð ÐÐ ÐÌFurthermore, €the€possibility€of€the€return€of€Applicant's€step€son€to€the€US€must€be€counterbalanced€by€an€overall€appraisal€of€all€of€the€considerations€affectingÐ Ô Ô ÐApplicant's€security€clearance€worthiness.€€Prior€trustworthiness€assessments€by€the€Agency€and€Agent€B€of€Applicant's€clearance€worthiness€more€thanÐ À À Ðsurmount€any€hypothetical€risks€associated€with€the€son's€return€to€the€US.€€Piecemeal€analysis€has,€of€course, €been€consistently€rejected€by€the€Appeal€BoardÐ ¬ ¬ Ðwhen€assessing€the€security€risks€posed€by€an€applicant's€family€members€residing€in€a€foreign€country.€€See€ISCR€Case€No.€01-22693€(September€22,€2003).Ð ˜ ˜ ÐOverall,€any€potential€security€concerns€attributable€to€Applicant's€extended€family€members€(viz.,€W,€her€son€and€her€siblings) €residing€in€the€PRC€areÐ " " Ðmitigated€sufficiently€to€permit€safe€predictive€judgments€about€Applicant's€ability€to€withstand€risks€of€undue€influence€attributable€to€his€familial€relationshipsÐ p p Ðin€th€PRC.€€Favorable€conclusions€warrant€with€respect€to€the€allegations€covered€by€Guideline€B.Ð \ \ ÐÐ ÐÌIn€reaching€my€recommended€decision,€I€have€considered€the€evidence€as€a€whole,€including€each€of€the€factors€and€conditions€enumerated€in€E.2.2€of€theÐ ÐAdjudicative€Process€of€Enclosure€2€of€the€Directive.Ð ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÌÓ Óò òFORMAL€FINDINGSó óÐ ¨ ¨ ÐÓ ÓÐ ÐÐ ÐÌIn€reviewing€the€allegations€of€the€SOR€in€the€context€of€the€FINDINGS€OF€FACT,€CONCLUSIONS€and€the€FACTORS€and€CONDITIONS€listed€above,€IÐ X X " Ðmake€the€following€separate€FORMAL€FINDINGS€with€respect€to€Applicant's€eligibility€for€a€security€clearance.€Ð D D # ÐÐ ÐÌGUIDELINE€B:€(FOREIGN€INFLUENCE):€€FOR€APPLICANTÐ # #& ÐÐ ÐÌSub-para.€2.a:€€€€€FOR€APPLICANTÐ Ì%Ì%) ÐSub-para.€2.b:€€€€€FOR€APPLICANTÐ ¸&¸&* ÐSub-para.€2.c:€€€€€FOR€APPLICANTÐ ¤'¤'+ ÐSub-para.€2.d:€€€€€FOR€APPLICANTÐ ( (, ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÌÓ Óò ò€DECISIONó óÐ ,-,-1 ÐÓ ÓÐ ÐÐ ÐÌIn€light€of€all€the€circumstances€presented€by€the€record€in€this€case,€it€is€clearly€consistent€with€the€national€interest€to€grant€or€continue€Applicant's€securityÐ Ü0Ü05 Ðclearance.€Ð È1È16 ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÐ ÐÌÌÓ ÓRoger€C.€WesleyÐ œ œ ÐÓ ÓÌÓ ÓAdministrative€JudgeÐ t t ÐÓ Ó

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