Summary
This security clearance application was denied under Guideline B (Foreign Influence). The applicant, a natural-born U.S. citizen, married a Russian woman in 1998, who subsequently became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2004.
The denial was based on several unmitigated foreign influence concerns. The applicant's wife has family members who are citizens and residents of Russia, and she has traveled to Russia multiple times since immigrating to the U.S. to visit them. She maintains frequent contact with her father and sister in Russia and owns property there, creating a financial interest in a foreign country. Additionally, she sends money and items to her family in Russia, indicating ongoing financial support, and has not renounced her Russian citizenship.
The judge determined that these factors, including the wife's substantial financial interests in Russia and her continued close ties with family there, created an unmitigated potential for foreign influence that could affect the applicant's security responsibilities. Consequently, the security clearance was denied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant's wife has family members who are citizens and residents of Russia, creating a potential for foreign influence.
- Applicant's wife has traveled to Russia multiple times, maintaining close ties with her family there.
- The financial interests in Russia, including property owned by the applicant's wife, are substantial and could affect security responsibilities.
Conditions Referenced
- DC 1appliedAn 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, a Foreign Country.
- DC 2appliedSharing Living Quarters with a Person or Persons, Regardless of Their Citizenship Status, If the Potential for Adverse Influence or Duress Exists.
- DC 8appliedA Substantial Financial Interest in a Country, or in Any Foreign-owned or -operated Business That Could Make the Individual Vulnerable to Foreign Influence.
- MC 1rejectedA Determination That the Immediate Family Member(s) Are Not Agents of a Foreign Power or in a Position to Be Exploited by a Foreign Power.There is no evidence to permit finding that Applicant, his wife, and his in-laws are not in a position to be exploited by Russia.
- MC 3rejectedContact and Correspondence with Foreign Citizens Are Casual and Infrequent.Applicant's wife's contacts with her family in Russia are neither casual nor infrequent.
- MC 5rejectedForeign Financial Interests Are Minimal and Not Sufficient to Affect the Individual's Security Responsibilities.The value of the property in Russia is significant and cannot be considered minimal.
Key Rule Quoted
“The objective of the security-clearance process is the fair-minded, commonsense assessment of a person's trustworthiness and fitness for access to classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMay 18, 2004
- Answer filedJun 4, 2004
- Hearing heldDec 3, 2004
- Decision dateJan 26, 2005
Cite For
- Foreign Influence Concerns Under Guideline B
- Impact of Family Ties on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Significance of Financial Interests in Foreign Countries for Security Determinations