ISCR Case No. 03-16182.h1

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0 D( ¾l 0 m* * * * * ¨— — 0 D? §ƒ k* x• • • • • k ºx ¡2 pÓ Ó C C C C C ±Y y ›˜ ¶ 3 žé o‡ †ö µ| B >1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 B o ˜IBM Infoprint 1125, ä, , , , , ä0(Ö Ã 9 Z ‹ 6Times New Roman Regular X ( üœ$¡¡Ô USUS., Ô T Ñ T RXì 3Ø' LetterXì 3Ø' Letterhead 3Ø' Letter 3Ø' LetterT Ñ ù Ú Ý ƒ ½Þ) ÝÔ USUS., ÔÝ ÝÔ_ ÔÔ ‡ e Œ X X Ôò òà@ © © ì àFOR€OFFICIAL€USE€ONLYˆÐ ° ÐÔ #† X êÐX Œ e =#ÔÔ ‡ * µ± , X X êÐ Ôà@ i i ì àWhen€unredacted€this€document€contains€informationˆÐ J š Ðà@ ^ ^ ì àEXEMPT€FROM€MANDATORY€DISCLOSURE€under€the€FOIAˆÐ À Ðà@ < < !ì àExemption€6€appliesó óÔ #† X êÐX , * µ±¿#Ô (. 3½Þ$©©Ý ƒ üœ! ÝÔ USUS., ÔÝ Ý ô \ ` ‹ &Times New Romanå–Ö4 u2¸¨0Backup 3|x ÿU ‹ÿÀÀÀ (Y( 3y®$¤¤Ý ƒ üœ! ÝÔ USUS., ÔÝ ÝÓ ÓÔ € ô ô ò X X Ôà àò òÚ Ú0Ú Úó ó ( #Ã$ ò òÚ Ú0Ú Úó ó ´Ý ƒ Ly% ÝÔ USUS., ÔÚ Ú1Ú Ú.Ý ÝÔ_ ÔGE€1€(ò òStandard€Form€86,€security€Clearance€Application,€signed€September€9,€2002ó ó)€at€1,€3. (. 3Ly$¥¥Ý ƒ üœ! ÝÔ USUS., ÔÝ ÝÚ Ú0Ú Ú. Khanh SSN TRAN Thi ISCR Redd SOR$Counternarcotics cohabitants ( &Ó$‘‘ò òÚ Ú1Ú Úó ó Ý ƒ Ly% ÝÔ USUS., ÔÚ Ú2Ú Ú.Ý ÝÔ_ ÔGE€2€ (ò òApplicantð ðs€Sworn€Statement€dated€November€19,€2002ó ó)€at€2. aÝ ƒ Ly% ÝÔ USUS., ÔÚ Ú3Ú Ú.Ý ÝÔ_ ÔTr.€at€15"19. nÝ ƒ Ly% ÝÔ USUS., ÔÚ Ú4Ú Ú.Ý ÝÔ_ ÔGE€2,€ò òsupraó ó,€at€2"6. aÝ ƒ Ly% ÝÔ USUS., ÔÚ Ú5Ú Ú.Ý ÝÔ_ ÔTr.€at€13"14. °Ý ƒ Ly% ÝÔ USUS., ÔÚ Ú6Ú Ú.Ý ÝÔ_ ÔGE€4€(ò òU.€S.€Department€of€State,€Background€Note:€Vietnam,€dated€September€2004ó ó)€at€8. —Ý ƒ Ly% ÝÔ USUS., ÔÚ Ú7Ú Ú.Ý ÝÔ_ ÔSee€ò òDepartment€of€the€Navy€v.€Eganó ó,€484€U.S.€518,€528€(1998). fÝ ƒ Ly% ÝÔ USUS., ÔÚ Ú8Ú Ú.Ý ÝÔ_ Ôò òIdó ó.,€at€527. Ñ ° Ñ §Ý ƒ Ly% ÝÔ USUS., ÔÚ Ú9Ú Ú.Ý ÝÔ_ ÔExec.€Or.€12968,€ò òAccess€to€Classified€Informationó ó€ð ð€3.1(b)€(Aug.€4,€1995). Ñ Ñ oÝ ƒ Ly% ÝÔ USUS., ÔÚ Ú10Ú Ú.Ý ÝÔ_ Ôò òEgan,€supraó ó,€at€531. ‘Ý ƒ Ly% ÝÔ USUS., ÔÚ Ú11Ú Ú.Ý ÝÔ_ ÔSee€ò òISCR€Case€No.€95"0611€ó óat€2€(App.€Bd.€May€2,€1996). ¬ Ý ƒ Ly% ÝÔ USUS., ÔÚ Ú12Ú Ú.Ý ÝÔ_ ÔExec.€Or.€12968,€ò òð ðAccess€to€Classified€Information;ð ð€ó óas€implemented€by€Department€of€defense€Regulation€5200.2"R,€ò òð ðPersonnel€Security€Program,€ð ðÐ X X Ðó ódated€January€1987,€as€amended€by€Change€3,€dated€November€8,€1995,€and€further€modified€by€memorandum,€dated€November€10,€1998.€€However,€theÐ D D ÐDirective,€as€amended€by€Change€4,€dated€April€20,€1999,€uses€both€ð ðclearly€consistent€with€the€national€interestð ð€(Ô_ Ôð§ ðÔ_ Ô€2.3;€ð§ ð2.5.3;€ð§ ð3.2;€and€ð§ ð4.2.;€Enclosure€3,Ð 0 0 Ðð§ ðE3.1.1.;€ð§ ðE3.1.2.;€ð§ ðE3.1.25.;€ð§ ðE3.1.26.;€and€ð§ ðE3.1.27.);€and€ð ðclearly€consistent€with€the€interests€of€national€securityð ð€(Enclosure€2,€ð§ ðE2.2.3.);€and€ð ðclearlyÐ Ðconsistent€with€national€securityð ð€(Enclosure€2,€ð§ ðE2.2.2.) ”Ý ƒ Ly% ÝÔ USUS., ÔÚ Ú13Ú Ú.Ý ÝÔ_ ÔSee€ò òISCR€Case€No.€01"20700€ó óat€3€(App.€Bd.€Dec.€19,€2002). eÝ ƒ Ly% ÝÔ USUS., ÔÚ Ú14Ú Ú.Ý ÝÔ_ Ôò òId.ó ó,€at€3. |Ý ƒ Ly% ÝÔ USUS., ÔÚ Ú15Ú Ú.Ý ÝÔ_ ÔSee€ò òEganó ó;€Directive€ð ð€€E2.2.2. «Ý ƒ Ly% ÝÔ USUS., ÔÚ Ú16Ú Ú.Ý ÝÔ_ ÔISCR€Case€No.€98"0507€(Appeal€Board€Decision€and€Reversal€Order,€May€17,€1999),€at€10.: web3dhrz16 0 €€€d ÿÿÿd dÝ ƒ üœ! ÝÔ USUS., ÔÝ ÝÔ_ ÔÓ ÓÑ T @RY, 3Ø' LetterheadXà 3Ø' Letter 3Ø' Letterÿ 3Ø' T ÑÑ @ h ° ÑÑ À ‚Ñ ÑÑ € ÑÑ 8À ô ò ò dÄdÈ8ÑÑ @ ÑÖ À ÿÿ ÖÑ À ) OY ÑÑ À / P¸ ÑÔ_ ÔKEYWORD:Ô_ Ô€Foreign€InfluenceÐ ÐDIGEST:€Ô ‡ U êÐX X X ÔApplicant,€a€naturalized€citizen€of€the€United€States, €is€employed€by€a€federal€contractor€as€a€computer€program€analyst.€€She€has€two€sisters€andÐ ìì Ðuncles€living€in€Vietnam.€€Her€mother€is€a€citizen€of€Vietnam€living€in€the€U.€S.€€Her€father,€step"mother,€and€four€siblings€are€U. €S.€citizens,€and€her€brother€isÐ Ø Ø Ðserving€in€the€U.€S.€Army.€€She€was€able€to€successfully€mitigate€the€foreign€influence€security€concerns€raised€because€she€has€immediate€family€members€whoÐ Ä Ä Ðlive€in€Vietnam.€€Clearance€is€granted.Ð ° ° ÐÔ #† X êÐX X U êО #ÔÔ_ ÔCASENOÔ_ Ô:€03"16182.h1Ð œ œ ÐDATE:€03/28/2005Ð ˆ ˆ ÐÔ ‡ U êÐX X X êÐ Ôà @` àà @¸ àà @ àà @h àà @À àà @ àà @p àDATE:€€March€28,€2005Ð t t ÐÔ_ ÔÔ_ Ôß A€ [ ) ° ° x dExÈ 2AßÐ ` ` ÐIn€re:Ð P P ÐÌà @ à"""""""""""""""Ìà @ àSSN:€"""""""""""Ð ÐÌApplicant€for€Security€ClearanceÐ ì ì ÐÌß A€ [ ) ° ° x dEx, 2AßÐ Ä Ä Ð‡ISCR€Case€No.€03"16182Ð ÐÐ ìì ÐÓ @ ° \ X ›X p ÓÌò òà@ ä ä &~ àDECISION€OF€ADMINISTRATIVE€JUDGEˆÐ ìì Ðà@ ± ± -~ àCHRISTOPHER€GRAHAMˆÐ Ø Ø ÐÌÌò òà@ ˜ ˜ 1~ àAPPEARANCESó óˆÐ œ œ Ðó óÌÔ #† X êÐX X U êЛ #ÔÔ ‡ " ì " X X êÐ Ôò òÓ ÓFOR€GOVERNMENTó óÐ t t ÐSabrina€Elaine€Redd,€Esq.,€Department€CounselÐ J J ÐÌò òFOR€APPLICANTó óÐ ö ö Ðò òò òPro€Seó óÔ #† X êÐX " " ìë #ÔÔ ‡ U êÐX X X êÐ ÔÐ Ì Ì Ðó óÓ ÓÌÌÑ C ‚Ñ ÑÑ C Ñò òò òà@ • • 2~ àSYNOPSISˆÐ x x ÐÌó óó óà @ àApplicant,€a€naturalized€citizen€of€the€United€States,€is€employed€by€a€federal€contractor€as€a€computer€program€analyst.€ €She€has€two€sisters€and€uncles€livingÐ P P Ðin€Vietnam.€€Her€mother€is€a€citizen€of€Vietnam€living€in€the€U.€S.€€Her€father,€step"mother,€and€four€siblings€are€U.€S.€citizens,€and€her€brother€is€serving€in€theÐ < < ÐU.€S.€Army.€€She€was€able€to€successfully€mitigate€the€foreign€influence€security€concerns€raised€because€she€has€immediate€family€members€who€live€inÐ ( ( ÐVietnam.€€Clearance€is€granted.Ð Ðà@ ~ ~ 6~ àˆÌà@ ~ ~ 6~ àˆÌà@ ~ ~ 6~ àˆÌà@ U U ,~ àà@ @à à ì àò òò òSTATEMENT€OF€THE€CASEˆÐ Ä Ä ÐÌà @ àó óó óÔ #† X êÐX X U êÐÜ #ÔOn€May€7,€2004,€the€Defense€Office€of€Hearings€and€Appeals€(DOHA),€pursuant€to€Executive€Order€10865,€ò òSafeguarding€Classified€Information€WithinÐ œ œ ÐIndustryó ó, €dated€February€20,€1960,€as€amended€and€modified,€and€Department€of€Defense€Directive€5220.6,€ò òDefense€Industrial€Personnel€Security€ClearanceÐ ˆ ˆ ÐReview€Programó ó€(Directive), €dated€January€2,€1992,€as€amended€and€modified,€issued€a€Statement€of€Reasons€(SOR)€to€Applicant.€€The€SOR€alleged€factsÐ t t Ðunder€Guideline€B€(foreign€influence), €detailing€reasons€why€DOHA€could€not€make€the€preliminary€affirmative€finding€under€the€Directive€that€it€is€clearlyÐ ` ` Ðconsistent€with€the€national€interest€to€grant€or€continue€Applicantð ðs€security€clearance, €and€recommended€referral€to€an€administrative€judge€to€determineÐ L L Ðwhether€a€clearance€should€be€granted,€continued,€denied€or€revoked.€ €The€SOR€detailed€foreign€influence€as€the€reasons€why€DOHA€could€not€find€that€it€isÐ 8 8 Ðclearly€in€the€national€interest€to€grant€or€continue€a€security€clearance.Ð $ $ ÐÌà @ àIn€a€sworn€written€statement,€dated€May€23,€2004,€Applicant€responded€to€the€allegations€in€the€SOR,€attached€three€documents,€and€requested€a€hearing.€€TheÐ ü ü ! Ðcase€was€assigned€to€me€on€February€9,€2005,€Notice€of€Hearing€was€mailed€February€17,€2005,€and€with€the€concurrence€of€the€parties€I€convened€a€hearing€onÐ è è " ÐMarch€7,€2005.€€During€the€hearing, €six€Government€exhibits€(GE)€and€Applicantð ðs€testimony€and€nine€exhibits€were€received.€€The€transcript€(Tr.)€wasÐ Ô Ô # Ðreceived€on€March€15,€2005.Ð À À $ ÐÔ ‡ U êÐX X X êÐ Ôò òò òÌÌà@ Ì Ì .~ àFINDINGS€OF€FACTˆÐ "#"#' Ðò òó óó óó óÌà @ àApplicant€has€admitted€to€all€four€factual€allegations€pertaining€to€foreign€influence€under€Guideline€B.€ €Her€admissions€are€incorporated€herein€as€findings€ofÐ \%\%) Ðfact.€€After€a€thorough€review€of€the€record€as€a€whole,€I€make€the€following€additional€findings€of€fact:Ð H&H&* ÐÌà @ àApplicant€is€a€single, €38"year"old€employee€of€a€federal€contractor.× ƒ Ý ×Ý ƒ &Ó Ýò òÚ Ú1Ú Úó óÝ Ý× Ý ×€€She€was€born€in€Vietnam€and€lived€there€with€her€family€until€she€and€four€siblingsÐ ( (, Ðimmigrated€to€the€U.€S.€in€1992.× ƒ Ý ×Ý ƒ &Ó Ýò òÚ Ú2Ú Úó óÝ Ý× Ý ×€€She€became€a€U.€S.€citizen€in€1999,€and€was€issued€a€U.€S.€passport€in€2001.€ €Applicantð ðs€two€sisters€and€their€families€inÐ ) )- ÐVietnam€are€in€the€process€of€immigrating€to€the€U.€S.× ƒ Ý ×Ý ƒ &Ó Ýò òÚ Ú3Ú Úó óÝ Ý× Ý ×Ð ø)ø). ÐÌà @ àApplicantð ðs€father€was€an€officer€in€the€South€Vietnamese€Navy€fighting€along€side€American€Navy€personnel€during€the€Vietnam€War.€€After€the€fall€of€SaigonÐ Ð+Ð+0 Ðin€1975,€he€was€captured€and€Ñ C /P¸ ÑÑ C Ñimprisoned€in€a€Vietnamese€ð ðre"educationð ð€camp.€€He€escaped€in€1979,€and€was€in€hiding€for€a€year€before€immigrating€to€theÐ ¼,¼,1 ÐUnited€States. €He€was€designated€an€ð ðenemy€of€the€people.ð ð€€Four€uncles€also€fought€alongside€U.€S.€Forces.€€All€four€were€imprisoned€after€the€war.€€Two€areÐ ¨-¨-2 Ðnow€citizens€of€the€U.€S.€and€two€remain€in€Vietnam.€ €Applicantð ðs€mother€now€lives€in€the€U.€S.€and€will€apply€for€citizenship€this€summer€(2005).€€WhileÐ ”.”.3 Ðliving€in€Vietnam,€Applicant€was€hired€as€a€teacher€but€was€soon€fired€because€of€her€fatherð ðs€status.€ €She€has€no€contact€with€her€uncles€still€in€Vietnam.€€HerÐ €/€/4 Ðonly€trips€to€Vietnam€were€on€the€completion€of€college€and€when€a€sister€was€seriously€burned.€€Applicant€has€no€financial€interests€in€Vietnam,€sends€noÐ l0l05 Ðmoney€there,€and€no€relatives€are€government€employees.× ƒ Ý ×Ý ƒ &Ó Ýò òÚ Ú4Ú Úó óÝ Ý× Ý ×€€Applicantð ðs€brother€serves€in€the€U.€S.€Army, €and€a€brother"in"law€in€the€naval€reserve.€€Both€haveÐ X1X16 Ðsecurity€clearances.× ƒ $Ý ×Ý ƒ &Ó Ýò òÚ Ú5Ú Úó óÝ Ý× Ý ×Ð D2D27 Їà @ àThe€U.€S. €and€Vietnam€resumed€diplomatic€relations€in€1995.€€The€countries€have€broadened€political€exchanges€on€human€rights€and€regional€security.€€InÐ Ð2000,€they€signed€a€Bilateral€Trade€Agreement€and€in€2003,€signed€a€Counternarcotics€Letter€of€Agreement,€a€Civil€Aviation€Agreement,€and€a€textileÐ ìì Ðagreement.× ƒ %Ý ×Ý ƒ &Ó Ýò òÚ Ú6Ú Úó óÝ Ý× Ý ×Ð Ø Ø Ðà @ àà @` àÌÌà@ 2~ àò òò òPOLICIESó óó óˆÐ œ œ ÐÌà @ àð ð[No]€one€has€a€ð ðrightð ð€to€a€security€clearance.ð ð× ƒ &Ý ×Ý ƒ &Ó Ýò òÚ Ú7Ú Úó óÝ Ý× Ý ×€€As€Commander"in"Chief,€the€President€has€ð ðthe€authority€to€.€.€.€control€access€to€information€bearing€onÐ t t Ðnational€security€and€to€determine€whether€an€individual€is€sufficiently€trustworthy€to€occupy€a€position€.€.€.€that€will€give€that€person€access€to€suchÐ ` ` Ðinformation.ð ð× ƒ 'Ý ×Ý ƒ &Ó Ýò òÚ Ú8Ú Úó óÝ Ý× Ý ×€€The€President€has€restricted€eligibility€for€access€to€classified€information€to€United€States€citizens€ð ðwhose€personal€and€professional€historyÐ L L Ðaffirmatively€indicates€loyalty€to€the€United€States,€strength€of€character,€trustworthiness,€honesty€reliability,€discretion,€and€sound€judgment,€as€well€as€freedomÐ 8 8 Ðfrom€conflicting€allegiances€and€potential€coercion, €and€willingness€and€ability€to€abide€by€regulations€governing€use,€handling,€and€protection€of€classifiedÐ $ $ Ðinformation.ð ð× ƒ .Ý ×Ý ƒ &Ó Ýò òÚ Ú9Ú Úó óÝ Ý× Ý ×€Ð ÐÌà @ àThe€Directive€sets€forth€personnel€security€guidelines,€as€well€as€the€disqualifying€conditions€(DC)€and€mitigating€conditions€(MC)€under€each€guideline. €Ô #† X êÐX X U êÐb #ÔÔ ‡ U êÐX X X êÐ Ô€AnÐ è è Ðadministrative€judge€need€not€view€the€adjudicative€guidelines€as€inflexible€ironclad€rules€of€law.€Instead, €acknowledging€the€complexities€of€human€behavior,Ð Ô Ô Ðthese€guidelines, €when€applied€in€conjunction€with€the€factors€set€forth€in€the€Adjudicative€Process€provision€set€forth€ð ð€E.2.2,€Enclosure€2,€of€the€DirectiveÔ #† X êÐX X U êЇ&#ÔÔ ‡ U êÐX X X êÐ Ô,€areÐ À À Ðintended€to€assist€the€administrative€judge€in€reaching€fair€and€impartial€common€sense€decisions.Ð ¬ ¬ ÐÌà @ àÔ #† X êÐX X U êÐ6(#ÔÔ ‡ U êÐX X X êÐ ÔBecause€the€entire€process€is€a€conscientious€scrutiny€of€a€number€of€variables€known€as€the€ð ðwhole€person€concept,ð ð€all€available, €reliable€information€aboutÐ " " Ðthe€person,€past€and€present,€favorable€and€unfavorable,€should€be€considered€in€making€a€meaningful€decision.€€The€Adjudicative€Process€factors€which€anÐ p p Ðadministrative€judge€should€consider€are:€(1)€the€nature,€extent,€and€seriousness€of€the€conduct;€(2)€the€surrounding€circumstances€of€the€conduct,€to€includeÐ \ \ Ðknowledgeable€participation; €(3)€the€frequency€and€recency€of€the€conduct;€(4)€the€individualð ðs€age€and€maturity€at€the€time€of€the€conduct;€(5)€the€voluntarinessÐ H H Ðof€participation; €(6)€the€presence€or€absence€of€rehabilitation€and€other€pertinent€behavioral€changes;€(7)€the€motivation€for€the€conduct;€(8)€the€potential€forÐ 4 4 Ðpressure,€coercion,€exploitation,€or€duress; €and€(9)€the€likelihood€of€continuation€or€recurrence.Ð ÐÑ C )OY ÑÑ C ÑÌà @ àInitially,€the€Government€must€establish,€by€substantial€evidence, €conditions€in€the€personal€or€professional€history€of€the€applicant€that€disqualify,€or€mayÐ ø ø Ðdisqualify,€the€applicant€from€being€eligible€for€access€to€classified€information.× ƒ 1Ý ×Ý ƒ &Ó Ýò òÚ Ú10Ú Úó óÝ Ý× Ý ×€€The€Directive€presumes€a€nexus€or€rational€connection€between€provenÐ ä ä Ðconduct€under€any€of€the€disqualifying€conditions€listed€in€the€guidelines€and€an€applicantð ðs€security€suitability.× ƒ 2Ý ×Ý ƒ &Ó Ýò òÚ Ú11Ú Úó óÝ Ý× Ý ×Ð Ð Ð ÐÌà @ àÔ ‡ U êÐX X U êÐ ÔOne€additional€comment€is€worthy€of€note.€€Applicantð ðs€allegiance,€loyalty,€and€patriotism€are€not€at€issue€in€these€proceedings.€€Section€7€of€Executive€OrderÐ ¨ ¨ Ð10865€specifically€provides€industrial€security€decisions€shall€be€ð ðin€terms€of€the€national€interest€and€shall€in€no€sense€be€a€determination€as€to€the€loyalty€ofÐ ” ” Ðthe€applicant€concerned.ð ð€ €Security€clearance€decisions€cover€many€characteristics€of€an€applicant€other€than€allegiance,€loyalty,€and€patriotism.€€Nothing€in€thisÐ € € ÐDecision€should€be€construed€to€suggest€I€have€based€this€decision,€in€whole€or€in€part, €on€any€express€or€implied€decision€as€to€Applicantð ðs€allegiance,€loyalty,Ð l l ! Ðor€patriotism.€Ô #† U êÐX X U êÐ 0#ÔÔ ‡ U êÐX X U êÐ ÔÐ X X " ÐÔ #† U êÐX X U êÐA3#ÔÌà @ àHaving€ò òó óconsidered€the€evidence€as€a€whole,€ò òó ó€I€find€the€following€adjudicative€ò òó óguideline€most€pertinent€to€an€evaluation€of€the€facts€of€this€case:Ô ‡ U êÐX X U êÐ ÔÔ #† X êÐX X U êÐ )#ÔÔ ‡ U êÐX X X êÐ ÔÐ 0!0!$ ÐÔ #† U êÐX X U êÐI4#ÔÌà @ àò òGUIDELINE€B€"€FOREIGN€INFLUENCE:€€(FI),€Directive, €ð ð€E2.A2.1.1.ò òó ó€ò òA€security€risk€may€exist€when€an€individualð ðs€immediate€family,€includingÐ # #& Ðcohabitants,€and€other€persons€to€whom€he€or€she€may€be€bound€by€affection,€influence,€or€obligations€are: €(1)€not€citizens€of€the€United€States€or€(2)€mayÐ ô#ô#' Ðbe€subject€to€duress.€€These€situations€could€create€the€potential€for€foreign€influence€that€could€result€in€the€compromise€of€classified€information.Ð Ü$Ü$( ÐContacts€with€citizens€of€other€countries€or€financial€interests€in€other€countries€are€also€relevant€to€security€determinations€if€they€make€an€individualÐ Ä%Ä%) Ðpotentially€vulnerable€to€coercion,€exploitation, €or€pressure.ó óò òó óÔ ‡ U êÐX X U êÐ ÔÐ ¬&¬&* ÐÌà @ àó óSince€the€protection€of€the€national€security€is€the€paramount€determinant, €the€final€decision€in€each€case€must€be€arrived€at€by€applying€the€standard€that€theÐ €(€(, Ðissuance€of€the€clearance€is€ð ðclearly€consistent€with€the€interests€of€national€security,ð ð× ƒ 3Ý ×Ý ƒ &Ó Ýò òÚ Ú12Ú Úó óÝ Ý× Ý ×€or€ð ðclearly€consistent€with€the€national€interest.ð ð€€For€the€purposesÐ l)l)- Ðherein,€despite€the€different€language€in€each, €I€have€concluded€both€standards€are€one€and€the€same.€€In€reaching€this€Decision,€I€have€drawn€only€thoseÐ X*X*. Ðconclusions€that€are€reasonable,€logical,€and€based€on€th€evidence€contained€in€the€record.€€Likewise, €I€have€avoided€drawing€inferences€grounded€on€mereÐ D+D+/ Ðspeculation€or€conjecture.Ð 0,0,0 ÐÌà @ àÔ #† U êÐX X U êÐó7#ÔOnce€the€Government€establishes€a€disqualifying€condition€by€substantial€evidence,€the€burden€shifts€to€the€applicant€to€rebut,€explain,€extenuate,€or€mitigateÐ . .2 Ðthe€facts.× ƒ 4Ý ×Ý ƒ &Ó Ýò òÚ Ú13Ú Úó óÝ Ý× Ý ×€€An€applicant€ð ðhas€the€ultimate€burden€of€demonstrating€that€it€is€clearly€consistent€with€the€national€interest€to€grant€or€continue€his€securityÐ ô.ô.3 Ðclearance.ð ð× ƒ 5Ý ×Ý ƒ &Ó Ýò òÚ Ú14Ú Úó óÝ Ý× Ý ×€€Ô ‡ U êÐX X U êÐ ÔA€person€who€has€access€to€classified€information€enters€into€a€ò òó ófiduciary€relationship€with€the€Government€based€on€trust€and€ò òó óconfidence.€TheÐ à/à/4 ÐGovernment,€therefore, €has€a€compelling€interest€in€ensuring€each€Applicant€possesses€the€requisite€judgment,€reliability€and€trustworthiness€of€one€who€willÐ Ì0Ì05 Ðprotect€the€national€interests€as€his€or€her€own.€€The€ð ðclearly€consistent€with€the€national€interestð ð€standard€compels€resolution€of€any€reasonable€doubt€about€anÐ ¸1¸16 ÐApplicantð ðs€suitability€for€access€in€favor€of€the€Government.× ƒ 6Ý ×Ý ƒ &Ó Ýò òÚ Ú15Ú Úó óÝ Ý× Ý ×€€Decisions€under€this€Directive€include,€by€necessity,€consideration€of€the€possible€risk€anÐ ¤2¤27 Ðapplicant€may€deliberately€or€inadvertently€fail€to€protect€or€safeguard€classified€information.€€Such€decisions€entail€a€certain€degree€of€legally€permissibleÐ Ðextrapolation€as€to€potential,€rather€than€actual, €risk€of€compromise€of€classified€information.Ô #† U êÐX X U êÐì=#ÔÔ #† X êÐX X U êЋ4#Ôò òó óÔ ‡ U êÐX X X êÐ ÔÔ ‡ U êÐX X U êÐ ÔÐ ìì Ðà @ àò òò òÔ #† U êÐX X U êдB#Ôà @` àòŒòòŽòóŽóóŒóà @¸ àòŒòòŽòà@ ~ ~ 6~ àóŒóóŽóˆÌà@ 1~ àCONCLUSIONSˆÐ Ä Ä ÐÌó óò òó óó óà @ àThe€Government€established€its€case€under€Guideline€B.€€Applicant€has€been€portrayed€as€a€person€who€has€a€potential€security€risk€because€members€of€herÐ œ œ Ðimmediate€family€or€persons€to€whom€she€is€bound€by€affection,€influence,€or€obligation€"€in€this€instance€her€sisters€and€their€families€are€citizen€residents€ofÐ ˆ ˆ ÐVietnam€"€and€may€be€subject€to€duress.€ €These€situations€raise€the€potential€for€vulnerability€to€coercion,€exploitation,€or€pressure,€and€the€exercise€of€foreignÐ t t Ðinfluence€that€could€result€in€the€compromise€of€classified€information.€€However, €the€mere€possession€of€family€ties€with€a€person€in€a€foreign€country€is€not,Ð ` ` Ðas€a€matter€of€law,€disqualifying€under€Guideline€B:Ð L L ÐÌà8 @ àà8 @` Ð Ð àThe€language€of€[Guideline]€B€ (Foreign€Influence)€in€the€Adjudicative€Guidelines€makes€clear€that€the€possession€of€such€family€ties€ò òmayó ó€pose€a€security€risk.€Ð $ $ ÐWhether€an€applicantð ðs€family€ties€in€a€foreign€country€pose€a€security€risk€depends€upon€a€common€sense€evaluation€of€the€overall€facts€and€circumstances€ofÐ Ðthose€family€ties.€€ò òSeeó ó€ISCR€Case€No. €98"0419€(April€30,€1999)€at€Ô_ Ôp.5.× ƒ 7Ý ×Ý ƒ &Ó Ýò òÚ Ú16Ú Úó óÝ Ý× Ý ×Ô_ ÔÐ ü ü ÐÌà @ àOnly€the€continuing€Vietnamese€citizenship€of€her€immediate€family€members€raise€the€potential€issue€of€foreign€influence.€€In€this€regard,€see€ForeignÐ Ô Ô ÐInfluence€Disqualifying€Condition€(FI€DC)€E2.A2.1.2.1.€ (ò òan€immediate€family€member,€or€a€person€to€whom€the€individual€has€close€ties€of€affection€orÐ À À Ðobligation,€is€a€citizen€or€present€in,€a€foreign€countryó ó).€ €Ô #† X êÐX X U êЕB#ÔÔ ‡ U êÐX X X êÐ ÔÐ ¬ ¬ ÐÔ #† X êÐX X U êÐûJ#ÔÔ ‡ U êÐX X X êÐ Ôà @ àÔ #† X êÐX X U êÐRK#ÔÔ ‡ U êÐX X X êÐ ÔÌà @ àAlso€applicable€in€this€case€is€Foreign€Influence€Mitigating€Condition€ (FI€MC)€E2.A2.1.3.1.€(ò òa€determination€that€the€immediate€family€member(s),€(spouse,Ð " " Ðfather,€mother,€sons,€daughters,€brothers,€sisters),€cohabitants,€or€associate(s) €in€question€are€not€agents€of€a€foreign€power€or€in€a€position€to€be€exploited€byÐ p p Ðforeign€power€in€a€way€that€would€force€the€individual€to€choose€between€loyalty€to€the€person(s)€involved€and€the€United€Statesó ó),€ €and€FI€MC€E2.A2.1.3.5.Ð \ \ Ð(ò òforeign€financial€interests€are€minimal€and€not€sufficient€to€affect€the€individualð ðs€security€responsibilitiesó ó).ò òó ó€€Applicantð ðs€trips€to€Vietnam€in€1997€€and€2001,Ð H H Ðwere€to€visit€family€and€friends,€the€latter€to€accompany€her€mother€to€visit€a€critically€injured€sister,€€and€are€innocuous.€€She€has€no€financial€ties€there.€Ð 4 4 ÐApplicant€has€not€engaged€in€any€misconduct€such€as€to€render€her€an€inappropriate€candidate€for€a€security€clearance.Ð ÐÌà @ àI€note€that€no€evidence€has€been€offered€by€the€Government€indicating€any€overt€Vietnam€intentions€or€activities,€such€as€industrial€espionage€or€activeÐ ø ø Ðcollection€of€foreign€economic€information, €directed€toward€the€United€States.€€I€acknowledge€that€Vietnam€is€still€a€communist€state€but€this€must€beÐ ä ä Ðcontrasted€with€the€restoration€of€diplomatic€relationsÔ #† X êÐX X U êÐ K#ÔÔ ‡ U êÐX X X êÐ Ô€and€the€mutual€trade€and€other€agreements€recently€concluded. €Ô #† X êÐX X U êвQ#ÔÔ ‡ U êÐX X X êÐ ÔÐ Ð Ð ÐÌà @ àApplicantð ðs€father€and€uncles€were€allies€fighting€alongside€our€military€during€the€Vietnam€war.€€Some€suffered€through€the€ €Vietnamese€gulag€after€that€war.€Ð ¨ ¨ ÐHer€father€displayed€the€courage€to€escape,€come€to€America,€and€provide€the€pathway€for€his€family€to€follow.€€With€a€brother€and€brother"in"law€serving€inÐ ” ” Ðthe€U. €S.€armed€services,€ò òwith€security€clearancesó ó,€common€sense€dictates€that€Applicant€is€not€a€security€risk.€€I€conclude€allegations€1.a.€through€1.d.€of€theÐ € € ÐSOR€in€Applicantð ðs€favor.Ô #† X êÐX X U êÐ3R#ÔÔ ‡ U êÐX X X êÐ ÔÐ l l ! ÐÌÌà @ àò òò òó óó óà @` àò òò òòŽòòŒòóŒóóŽóó óó óà@ à à /~ àà@ @1 1 #ì àò òò òFORMAL€FINDINGSó óó óˆÐ 0!0!$ ÐÌà @ àFormal€findings€For€or€Against€Applicant€on€the€allegations€set€forth€in€the€SOR, €as€required€byÔ #† X êÐX X U êÐ×T#ÔÔ ‡ ï ô ò X X êÐ Ô€Ô #† X êÐX ò ï ô.V#ÔÔ ‡ U êÐX X X êÐ Ôð ð€E3.1.25€of€Enclosure€3€of€the€Directive,€are:Ð # #& ÐÌà @ àParagraph€2.€ò òó óGuideline€B:€€FOR€THE€APPLICANTÐ à$à$( ÐÌà @ àà @` àà @ àà @° àà @ àà @` àSubparagraph€1.a.€€€For€the€ApplicantÐ ¸&¸&* Ðà @ àà @` àSubparagraph€1.b.€€€For€the€ApplicantÐ ¤'¤'+ Ðà @ àà @` àSubparagraph€1.Ô G ÔÔc dÿ Ôc.€€€For€the€ApplicantÔc ÿd3X ÔÔ F 'X ÔÔc dÿ ÔÔ G ÔÐ ( (, Ðà @X àà @° àà @ àà @` àSubparagraph€1.Ôc ÿd X ÔÔc dÿ ÔÔ F “X ÔÔ G Ôd.€€€For€the€ApplicantÔ F +Y ÔÔc ÿd Y ÔÔ G ÔÔc dÿ ÔÐ |)|)- Ðà @X àà @° àà @ àà @` àÔ F sY ÔÔc ÿd Y ÔÌÌà @ àà@ ~ ~ 6~ àˆÌÌÌò òò òà@ 2~ àà@ @ý ý &ì àDECISIONˆÐ / /3 Ðó óó óÌà @X àà0 @° à€€ €In€light€of€all€the€circumstances€presented€by€the€record€in€this€case,€it€is€clearly€consistent€with€the€national€interest€to€grant€or€continue€Applicantð ðs€securityÐ Ü0Ü05 Ðclearance.€€Clearance€is€granted.Ð È1È16 ЇÌÌà@ ~ ~ 6~ àˆÌà@ L L -~ àChristopher€GrahamˆÐ Ä Ä Ðà@ ,~ àAdministrative€Judge€Ô #† X êÐX X U êÐqV#Ô

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