Summary
A 65-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen, working as an executive assistant to a federal contractor's president, was granted a security clearance despite initial concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence). The applicant's foreign connections included siblings and other family members in Germany, whom she visits periodically, and a friend who is a retired professor. Her husband is a citizen of Pakistan and a U.S. resident alien, having worked as a Pakistani civil servant for ten years until 1969, then for the World Bank until his retirement in 1989. He has two adult children who are U.S. citizens. The applicant does not own property in Germany and has not voted in foreign elections.
Disqualifying conditions related to foreign influence were raised, specifically concerning her family in Germany and her husband's Pakistani citizenship and past employment. However, the judge found these concerns were successfully mitigated.
The clearance was granted because the applicant's husband has no financial ties to Pakistan and is retired, diminishing potential foreign influence. Furthermore, her family members in Germany are not in positions that could lead to exploitation for classified information. The applicant also demonstrated strong ties to the United States, including her long-term employment and family residing in the U.S.
Why the applicant prevailed
- The applicant's husband has no financial ties to Pakistan and is retired, reducing potential foreign influence.
- The applicant's family members in Germany are not in positions to exploit her for classified information.
- The applicant has strong ties to the United States, including her long-term employment and family residing in the U.S.
Conditions referenced
- E2.A2.1.2.1raisedImmediate Family Member Is a Citizen of a Foreign Country
- E2.A2.1.2.2raisedSharing Living Quarters with a Person Who May Be Subject to Foreign Influence
- E2.A2.1.2.3raisedRelatives Connected with a Foreign Government
- E2.A2.1.3.1appliedImmediate Family Members Are Not Agents of a Foreign Power
Key rule quoted
“A security risk may exist when an individual's immediate family... are not citizens of the United States or may be subject to duress.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedFeb 19, 2003
- Answer filedFeb 21, 2003Applicant requested a hearing.
- Hearing heldMay 19, 2003Hearing convened by Administrative Judge Howe.
- Decision dateJun 17, 2003
Cite for
- Mitigation of Foreign Influence Concerns Under Guideline B
- Consideration of Family Ties and Their Impact on Security Clearance
- Evaluation of the Applicant's Credibility and Long-term U.S. Residency