Summary
A 31-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen, originally from Vietnam, was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence), Guideline E (Personal Conduct), and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The applicant had significant unresolved debts exceeding $70,000 across multiple credit cards and a charge account, with only two debts, totaling $313 and $5,279, being settled or satisfied. The remaining seven debts, ranging from $1,856 to $21,598, remained unpaid.
Additionally, the applicant's spouse is a Vietnamese citizen residing in the U.S., and his parents, four brothers, and two sisters are all citizens and residents of Vietnam. These familial ties raised concerns regarding foreign influence.
Despite settling some debts, the applicant failed to demonstrate a good-faith effort to resolve his overall financial issues or adequately mitigate the concerns related to his foreign ties. Consequently, the security clearance was denied.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had multiple unresolved delinquent debts totaling over $70,000, indicating financial irresponsibility.
- The applicant's immediate family members are citizens and residents of Vietnam, raising foreign influence concerns.
- The applicant did not provide sufficient evidence to mitigate the security concerns related to his financial situation and foreign ties.
Conditions Referenced
- E2.A6.1.2.1raisedDC 1: History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- E2.A6.1.2.3raisedDC 3: Inability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- E2.A2.1.2.1raisedDC 1: Immediate Family Member Is a Citizen or Resident of a Foreign Country
- E2.A5.1.2.2raisedDC 2: Deliberate Omission or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- E2.A6.1.3.1rejectedMC 1: Delinquent Debts Were Not RecentThe applicant has multiple unresolved debts that are not recent.
- E2.A6.1.3.2rejectedMC 2: Financial Problems Are an Isolated IncidentThe applicant has a history of multiple delinquent debts.
- E2.A6.1.3.3rejectedMC 3: Financial Difficulties Arose From Circumstances Beyond the Person's ControlWhile the applicant's job loss was beyond his control, he did not act reasonably to resolve his debts.
- E2.A6.1.3.4rejectedMC 4: Received Counseling for Financial ProblemsThe applicant did not follow through with his debt repayment plan or seek further counseling.
- E2.A6.1.3.6rejectedMC 6: Good-faith Effort to Resolve DebtsThe applicant only resolved debts after learning they were a security concern.
- E2.A2.1.3.1rejectedMC 1: Family Members Are Not Agents of a Foreign PowerThe applicant's family ties to Vietnam raise concerns of potential coercion.
- E2.A2.1.3.3rejectedMC 3: Contact with Foreign Citizens Is Casual and InfrequentThe applicant's family contacts are infrequent but not casual.
Key Rule Quoted
“"[N]o one has a 'right' to a security clearance."”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 28, 2005
- Answer filedOct 18, 2005
- Hearing heldMar 16, 2006
- Decision dateApr 28, 2006
Cite For
- Denial of Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Obligations Under Guideline F
- Foreign Influence Concerns Due to Family Ties in a Foreign Country Under Guideline B
- Issues of Personal Conduct Related to Omissions on Security Clearance Applications Under Guideline E