Summary
The applicant, a 40-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen from Afghanistan employed as a translator, faced security concerns under Guideline B due to his immediate family members residing in Afghanistan. The applicant did not provide mitigating information regarding his foreign influence ties, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Under Guideline B (Foreign Influence), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant's mother is a citizen of Afghanistan and currently resides with him. She holds an immigration green card (1.a). Applicant has four sisters and three brothers. The sisters and one of his brothers are all citizens and residents of Afghanistan. Another brother is a citizen of Afghanistan and currently resides in Brussels, Belgium. The third brother is a citizen of Afghanistan and currently resides in Germany (1.b). Applicant traveled to Afghanistan from April 2003 to October 2003. He did so while working for a Language Resource company and provided translation services for United States military forces serving there. While in Afghanistan, Applicant visited family members (1.c). No information was provided by Applicant to mitigate the security concerns regarding his immediate family who are all citizens of Afghanistan and some who reside there (1.d). Applicant failed to provide information about any contact he may have with his relatives; whether it is casual and infrequent; what, if any, connection his relatives in Afghanistan may have with the government; and any other relevant facts that may mitigate the security concerns raised by his family ties (1.e).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions E2.A2.1.2.1. The decision turned on the following: Applicant's immediate family members, including his mother, four sisters, and three brothers, are all citizens of Afghanistan, with some residing there; Applicant failed to provide any information to mitigate the security concerns regarding his family ties in Afghanistan; The applicant did not demonstrate any contact with his relatives that could mitigate the potential for foreign influence.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant's immediate family members, including his mother, four sisters, and three brothers, are all citizens of Afghanistan, with some residing there.
- Applicant failed to provide any information to mitigate the security concerns regarding his family ties in Afghanistan.
- The applicant did not demonstrate any contact with his relatives that could mitigate the potential for foreign influence.
Conditions Referenced
- E2.A2.1.2.1appliedForeign Influence Disqualifying Condition
Key Rule Quoted
“The sole purpose of a security clearance determination is to decide if it is clearly consistent with the national interest to grant or continue a security clearance for an applicant.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMay 9, 2005
- Answer filedMay 25, 2005Applicant admitted all allegations.
- Hearing held—Case decided on written record.
- Decision dateOct 20, 2005
Cite For
- Foreign Influence Concerns Under Guideline B
- Failure to Mitigate Foreign Influence Due to Family Ties
- Importance of Providing Evidence to Counter Security Concerns