Having family members or close friends who are not residents or citizens of the U.S.; Having connections to foreign individuals, groups, or governments that could create a potential conflict of interest; Failing to properly report associations with foreign individuals, groups, or governments; The existence of counterintelligence information which reveals that a persons access to classified information could pose a risk to national security; Cohabitating with individuals that who are influenced by a foreign government; Having substantial business, financial, or property interests in a foreign country; Associating with known or suspected foreign intelligence agents; Any indications that foreign individuals are attempting to increase an individuals vulnerability to future acts of coercion, manipulation, or inducement; and. A better measure may be the debt-to-income ratio, which is determined by dividing the total monthly debt by your monthly income. A public trust background investigation will include many aspects of a full security clearance investigation. Clean up House. She reported her relationship with the man to her security officer, and was very careful to follow all laws in her visits with, and subsequent efforts to obtain permanent U.S. residency for, her spouse. If your spouse In some states, spouses are automatically liable for each others debts. will not hand over your personal information to any third parties. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters, and e-mail. Dont let your spouses financial history jeopardize yoursecurity clearanceand derail your career. Also I was worried about putting down my family's information who are here illegally. This information was reported by other community members to the local security office and as a result, the contractor was called in for an interview. We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to In most close relationships, the parties have mutual knowledge of personal information, such as personal history and family history. Fortunately, even if you do have some bad apples in the family, the cause is not lost. sale of your personal information to third parties. Can family members affect security clearance? The higher the clearance, the stricter the standards are, and the more you're scrutinized. Top secret clearances require investigation every five years. Under certain circumstances, an applicant's spouse or cohabitant may be subject to a security check. If the position is a federal contracting position, contact your companys facility security officer or human resources office. What are some typical delays that occur in the security clearance process? Collect additional references, when possible, in case we are unable to reach those provided initially. According to the court, The risk of coercion, persuasion, or duress is significantly greater if the foreign country has an authoritarian government; a family member is associated with, or dependent on, the foreign government; or the country is known to conduct intelligence operations against the United States.. cookies (and the associated sale of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. has a questionable past, or a few skeletons in their closet, can their Executive Order 12968, Access to Classified Information, provides that security clearances are only granted to persons employed by, detailed or assigned to, or working on behalf of the federal government. Government information may be classified as confidential, secret, or top secret. for you to be considered a higher security risk. If your If you are processed for a Top Secret level clearance, a national agency check will be run on your husband or wife; however, this check would be conducted with their permission. Just because they are your family doesnt mean you arent held to the same standard as other clearance holders. This code of laws is designed to ensure, If your security clearance has been denied or revoked, the appeals process can be a complex and confusing process. In other words, an applicant is not required to guess how said relationship would be perceived by an adjudicator. In contrast, if you share an account with your spouse and your own credit history is negatively affected as a result of their debt, it could have a larger impact on your security clearance application. Those cookies are set by us and called first-party cookies. You will still If you want to maintain good credit, you need to make sure that any account with your name on it, whether it is your own or held jointly, remains current. security clearance is threatened by your spouses background, we According to William Henderson, a retired federal clearance investigator and author of Security Clearance Manual, polygraphs are usually only issued for Sensitive Compartment Information (SCI) and other Special Access Programs (SAP). Some federal jobs do require a polygraph regardless of the clearance level . If you fill out the SF-86 application for a national security position, youll note it asks for your spouse or cohabitants name, social security number and place of birth. A family member's drug use can also be a cause for concern. Marijuana is categorized as a controlled substance under Schedule I of the Controlled Substance Act. Will my clearance be transferable to other federal agencies? We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by 147.4, Guideline B, Foreign Influence. intended if you do so. Many of these types of cases can be mitigated, but it is important to treat them seriously because many security clearances are denied on the basis of possible foreign influence. Employees are subject to reinvestigation based on their level of security clearance. However, certain circumstances can make some divorces more complicated than others. If you are denied a security clearance, or your continued eligibility for access to classified information is revoked, you will be notified of the reason(s) and be provided with the procedures for filing an appeal. At Cask Government Services, we have the expertise and security designations to help our clients realize their transformation plans. Are you concerned a vindictive ex-spouse may try to undermine your security clearance? The Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) system is a web-based automated system, owned by the Office of Personnel Management and mandated for federal government use, that facilitates the processing of standard forms used when conducting background investigations for security, suitability, fitness, and credentialing purposes. A Department of Energy (DOE) contractor found this out recently when the administrative judge denied her appeal requesting reinstatement of her clearance. Does security clearance look at texts? Interested in writing for ClearanceJobs.com? A security clearance allows an individual filling a specific position to have access to classified national security information up to and including the level of clearance that they hold as long as the individual has a "need to know" the information and signed a non-disclosure agreement. Hardly. Can the investigators access previous OPM investigation profiles? of the site will not work as intended if you do so. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS An ex-spouse may be contacted in the course of a background investigation, and your legal filings in divorce court may be used by your background investigator in the course of your investigation. Federal Scientists Still Worry About Censorship, Shift Left: Achieving Secure Application Modernization with DevSecOps, Dr. Fauci Advises Young Scientists to Stay out of Politics, Two Years of COVID-19 Oversight: A Look Back, Stories of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, I Am Against Retreat: The Louis DeJoy Ethos and the Future of the Postal Service, Nextgov eBook: The State of Cybersecurity. This article is intended as general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. Brought to you by ClearanceJobs.com. This most recent event was just the latest in a long history of the contractor ignoring previous warnings from the local security office about allowing her sons to engage in criminal activity while living with her. If you follow international news, you may have heard about how totalitarian states like North Korea punish political dissent. One of the leading reasons why security clearances in the United States are denied, suspended, or revoked is due to contact with foreign nationals. What is the purpose of a security clearance? Thank you for the information. Who should I contact if I have questions about my background investigation? Additionally, the type of crime your relative committed may indeed prohibit your access to materials. the offense was related to national security or the applicant Social media cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have Mr. Leckie was the first person I communicated with after my initial incarceration. The security clearance from the DoD requires investigation every 15 years. may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. performance. Previous questions have included if a spouse being listed on the sex offender registry for a decade-old arrest or if a jail stint would affect the applicants security clearance. Just when you think you are out, you get pulled back in.. Investigators will evaluate when the violation happened, the age of the violator, and when the event occurred. Are members of my family or people living with me subject to a security check? A security clearance allows an individual filling a specific position to have access to classified national security information up to and including the level of clearance that they hold as long as the individual has a "need to know" the information and signed a non-disclosure agreement. to learn more. How a Continuous Evaluation Program Strengthens Security Against Internal Threats, Lessons in Cybersecurity: Honey Bees and Supply Chain Attacks. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Because we do not track you across different devices, today to discuss how we can help transform your business. Can family members affect security clearance? Any significant changes in an applicants situation since his or her last investigation may be considered. Lindy Kyzer is the editor ofClearanceJobs.comand a former Defense Department employee. The agency will also evaluate whether or not your contact with foreign nationals or any financial interests (such as business or property interests) that you have in other countries have the potential to make you vulnerable to coercion, exploitation, or pressure. In addition, in determining whether a security concern is at issue, Guidelines B also directs agencies to consider the identity of the country in which the foreign contact/interest is located in order to ascertain whether the country is known to target U.S. citizens in order to obtain classified information or is associated with a risk of terrorism. Targeting cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. Public trust determinations are requested for applicants whose positions will require access to information at the high- or moderate-risk levels, based upon duties and responsibilities of the position. To give a few examples - suppose you're married Continue Reading Paul Mulwitz 8 years regular USAF. Include associates as well as relatives, not previously listed in Section 18? What happens if Im denied a security clearance? Each level has protocols outlining how the classified information should be handled. If 2. DSS conducts record and fingerprint checks against commercial and government databases. Every case is individually assessed, using the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines, to determine whether the granting or continuing of eligibility for a security clearance is clearly consistent with the interests of national security. With respect to the requirement of close or continuing contact, defining what constitutes continuing contact is relatively easy. Its also worth noting that many of the questions around foreign involvement or influence also ask about a spouses overseas ties and financial obligations. cookie banner and remembering your settings, to log into your account, to redirect you when you log out, Those issues would likely only be an issue of the applicant was involved in some way. Ultimately, the choices security clearance holders must make in this regard are rarely as extreme as some applicants think. For government workers, military personnel, and defense contractors, a security clearance determines their eligibility to continue to build a career. 1. Common sense goes a long way in avoiding security clearance problems. One of her sons was arrested, charged and convicted of eight felonies related to the distribution and sale of cocaine. Whether its bad spending habits which lead to bad credit, or a vindictive streak which may lead to false accusations in an interview, you will be held responsible for your spouses behavior. I honestly don't know where to start! What Is the 10/10 Rule in Military Divorce? Both my parents are from Mexico but are now us citizens. Moreover, whether or not a bond of affection, influence, common interest, and/or obligation exists is entirely dependent on how the applicant or their spouse or cohabitant feels about the relationship. The main thing I was worried about was my family. During the polygraph phase I was asked about drug use, to which I admitted (also on my SF86) of use over 10 years ago when I was a kid (marijuana experimentation less than 10 times total). Security Clearance Adjudicative Process The clearance process for Secret level access uses an investigation called the National Agency Check with Law and Credit that goes back five years, while the clearance process for Top Secret uses a Single Scope Background Investigation that goes back ten years. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly No. Global AIDS Coordinator and Global Health Diplomacy, Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Special Representative for Syria Engagement, U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Office of the U.S. In some cases, a single arrest can disqualify an applicant. Your email address will not be published. tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. Absolutely! Contact us today to discuss how we can help transform your business. In addition, you should never reach out to foreign nationals in order to obtain information about them to answer any questions contained in Section 19 of the SF86. Honesty is absolutely required when answering any questions on the SF86. Call us today at 757-317-5125 or contact . If you do not allow these cookies you may not be However, they may receive limited access to information marked confidential or secret if the request meets documented standards. Under certain circumstances, an applicant's spouse or cohabitant may be subject to a security check. If you opt out we will not be able to offer you personalised ads and Low-risk/non-sensitive determinations are requested for applicants whose positions have low-risk levels, based upon duties and responsibilities of the position. Click Here For a No Obligation, Always Confidential Consultation. Will my clearance be transferable to other federal agencies? Some of the most common areas of delay include the submission of incomplete forms and information, poorly collected fingerprints, and investigations that involve coverage of extensive overseas activities. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. 2023 ClearanceJobs - All rights reserved. You cannot opt-out of our First Party Strictly Necessary This would largely depend on two things: What level of clearance and what the crime was. If you are going through a divorce, you already have a lot of things on your mind. A security clearance lawyer will also help prepare you for the questions that could arise during the application process and can help you to rebut or mitigate them. 30 years of collective experience handling security clearance matters. Although security clearance background checks can be intensely thorough, the government can't view your emails, Internet browsing history, hard drive data, and other virtual assets without a subpoena or warrant. Here are some of the common ways a spouse or partner can affect your security clearance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a sale of The reason for this is simple: if your contact with that foreign national is found to pose a concern, the more you know about that person, the harder it will be for you to later claim that you do not have a close relationship. -EdfarmerIII - I agree with you, this may have been different if the person made an effort to end or remove themselves from illegal activities. An official website of the United States Government, Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD) 4: National Security Adjudicative Guidelines. We also Security Executive Agent Directive 4, National Security Adjudicative Guidelines, for more information about the guidelines and specific concerns and mitigating factors. Can family members affect security clearance? can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the The individuals have undergone the same security investigations as federal employees. If you are processed for a Top Secret level clearance, a national agency check will be run on your husband or wife; however, this check would be conducted with their permission. If you have a security clearance and you let your spouse manage all of your finances, you should have a very high degree of trust about his or her ability to spend responsibly. A public trust background investigation will include many aspects of a full security clearance investigation. If the position requires access to classified information, a background investigation must be conducted. Dishonorable discharge from the military. Non-US citizens cannot receive security clearance. cannot receive security clearance. Yes. DSS notifies the employee when it is time for a reinvestigation. . Is it These investigations provide information for DSS to determine an applicants or current employees national security eligibility. Organizations that have individuals on staff with DoD security clearances minimize the risk of a security violation. I also have a few uncles/cousins who live in Mixico. Honesty, candor, and thoroughness are very important factors in the process of obtaining a security clearance. I believe honestly stating his citizenship status will not be a problem for your clearance, but being untruthfulwould hurt you. After determining the candidates national security eligibility, DSS contacts the appropriate hiring authority. Our constitution bars even less extreme government practices like threatening to arrest a family member of the accused (without probable cause) in order to obtain an admission of guilt. Contact us today for the attention your situation demands. In some cases, a single arrest can disqualify an applicant. able to use or see these sharing tools. [email protected], Program Management & Acquisition Support Services, Please read the Cask GS COVID-19 response here. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Loyalty to the United States and its constitution, Interactions with foreign countries, residents, and officials, Dual citizenship or possession of a foreign passport. From a legal standpoint, the difference between guilt by association in criminal vs. security clearance cases is clear: the former is a deprivation of a constitutional right (liberty), while the latter is a privilege entirely within the governments discretion to grant. Different security levels indicate the types of information that individuals may access. to take that as a valid request to opt-out. Join the discussion that Marko Hakamaa started. Will this affect my chances of getting a clearance? I find it difficult to believe that a judge would expect her to sever ties with her children, despite their age, if she had been making a good faith effort to help them clean up their act. Or have the circumstances been mitigated to a point where they are a concern, but not damning. He never advised me to do anything that would further jeopardize my freedom nor did he sugar coat the possible consequences. your spouse or cohabitant is an immigrant not a U.S. citizen, If the information is disclosed without authorization, then it may cause exceptionally grave damage to national security. In fact, a number of resources are available to help you do just that. If this is done, your spouses credit history will most likely not be an issue when your credit is checked during the security clearance application. If your spouse or cohabitant is a foreign national, you may be subject to additional inquiries. You Employers initiate security clearance investigations. information. The process usually involves rounding up the offender plus all his family members and summarily executing them. , an applicant Supply Chain Attacks significant changes in an applicants or current employees national security Adjudicative.. You may have heard about how totalitarian states like North Korea punish political dissent honesty is absolutely when. I contact if I have questions about my background investigation must be.. Are automatically liable for each others debts the stricter the standards are, is. And sale of cocaine and building up a profile of your interests protocols outlining how the information... Federal jobs do require a polygraph regardless of the clearance level the and... Is time for a No Obligation, Always confidential Consultation total monthly debt by your monthly.! Other words, an applicant & # x27 ; s spouse or partner can affect security. About my background investigation must be conducted appropriate hiring authority questions about my background investigation experience on websites. Controlled substance under Schedule I of the United states government, security Executive Agent Directive ( SEAD ):... Common ways a spouse or cohabitant is a foreign national, you already have few. Found this out recently when the administrative judge denied her appeal requesting reinstatement of sons! Your personal information to any third parties arent held to the distribution and sale of cocaine dss contacts appropriate... Resources are available to help you do just that - suppose you #! My freedom nor did he sugar coat the possible consequences their eligibility to Continue to a! You & # x27 ; s drug use can also be a cause for concern members my! Liable for each others debts take that as a valid request to opt-out to us. International news, you already have a lot of things on your mind, Program Management & Support... A cause for concern indicate the types of information that individuals may.. Security clearance last investigation may be set through our site by our advertising partners cookies are set us! Reach those provided initially hurt you make some divorces more complicated than.. Will not work as intended if you do have some bad apples in the clearance. Sead ) 4: national security eligibility hurt you are your family doesnt mean arent. Classified as confidential, secret, or top secret my chances of getting a clearance additional inquiries Directive SEAD! Collected might can family members affect security clearance to you, your preferences or your device, and thoroughness are very important factors in security! How totalitarian states like North Korea punish political dissent Korea punish political.. Ofclearancejobs.Comand a former Defense Department employee been mitigated to a point where they are a concern, not... By your monthly income in an applicants situation since his or her last may... Requires access to classified information should be taken as legal advice for any case. North Korea punish political dissent your relative committed may indeed prohibit your access to classified information, background. Examples - suppose you & # x27 ; re scrutinized for government workers, military personnel and! Many of the common ways a spouse or cohabitant may be considered all his family members summarily. To do anything that would further jeopardize my freedom nor did he sugar coat the possible.... Of the common ways a spouse or cohabitant is a foreign national, you already have a few who... Clearance investigation transformation plans are your family doesnt mean you arent held to the and! Applicant is not required to guess how said relationship would be perceived by an adjudicator an adjudicator even if do! Are going through a divorce, you may be subject to a security check also have a lot things! Choices security clearance holders must make in this regard are rarely as extreme as some applicants think personalize experience! The family, the cause is not lost site should be taken as legal advice for any case... Resources office many of the United states government, security Executive Agent Directive ( SEAD ) 4: national eligibility... That individuals may access the attention your situation demands some states, spouses are automatically liable for each debts. Well as relatives, not previously listed in Section 18 are very factors. Make some divorces more complicated than others total monthly debt by your monthly income ; re scrutinized higher risk. Strengthens security Against Internal Threats, Lessons in Cybersecurity: Honey Bees and Chain... Also be a cause for concern different security levels indicate the types information! Is absolutely required when answering any questions on the SF86 ; re married Reading. Advice regarding your individual situation years of collective experience handling security clearance from the DoD investigation. Did he sugar coat the possible consequences, but not damning No,. Article is intended as general information only and should not be construed as legal advice,! His citizenship status will not be construed as legal advice for any individual case or.! Coat the possible consequences additionally, the stricter the standards are, and is No. Individual case or situation this out recently when the administrative judge denied her appeal requesting reinstatement of her clearance recently. Response here classified as confidential, secret, or top secret response here is editor! Investigation must be conducted experience handling security clearance advised me to do anything that would further jeopardize freedom! Invite you to be considered as other clearance holders by our advertising partners would be perceived by adjudicator. Your interests security Against Internal Threats, Lessons in Cybersecurity: Honey Bees and Supply Chain Attacks Mulwitz years... Info @ caskgov.com, Program Management & Acquisition Support Services, Please the. On staff with DoD security clearances minimize the risk of a full security clearance process states,... Financial history jeopardize yoursecurity clearanceand derail your career Services, Please read Cask. In avoiding security clearance you follow international news, you may have heard about how totalitarian states like North punish! Of information that individuals may access, or top secret questions around foreign or! Site by our advertising partners be set through our site by our advertising partners what are some the! Can disqualify an applicant is not lost are your family doesnt mean arent... Choices security clearance problems Adjudicative Guidelines 30 years of collective experience handling security clearance holders must in. Be subject to a security check Against commercial and government databases information that individuals access... Will not work as intended if you do so notifies the employee it. Not lost Department employee ratio, which is determined by dividing the monthly! Stating his citizenship status will not hand over your personal information to any third parties dss... Case we are unable to reach those provided initially us citizens investigations provide information for dss to determine applicants... For the attention your situation demands of obtaining a security clearance holders, Always confidential Consultation parents are from but... The position requires access to materials to undermine your security clearance matters through our site our. Third parties, a single arrest can disqualify an applicant & # x27 ; s spouse or cohabitant be... Your spouse in some states, spouses are automatically liable for each others debts a federal contracting position contact! Your situation demands absolutely required when answering any questions on the SF86 with respect the... The more you & # x27 ; s drug use can also a... However, certain circumstances, an applicant resources office affect my chances of getting a clearance fact! A controlled substance under Schedule I of the site will not hand over your personal information to any parties. Are set by us and called first-party cookies workers, military personnel, and e-mail any significant changes in applicants... Anything that would further jeopardize my freedom nor did he sugar coat the possible consequences a concern but. Info @ caskgov.com, Program Management & Acquisition Support Services, Please read the GS... In the family, the cause is not lost Honey Bees and Chain. One of her clearance determined by dividing the total monthly debt by your monthly income clearance investigation GS response! When the administrative judge denied her appeal requesting reinstatement of her clearance will my clearance be transferable to federal! To do anything that would further jeopardize my freedom nor did he sugar coat the possible consequences device, thoroughness. The more you & # x27 ; re scrutinized things on your mind involves rounding up the offender all... Dont let your spouses financial history jeopardize yoursecurity clearanceand derail your career of close or continuing contact, defining constitutes. With me subject to reinvestigation based on their level of security clearance will this affect my of! Convicted of eight felonies related to the same standard as other clearance.. Automatically liable for each others debts involves rounding up the offender plus all his family members and executing... Additional inquiries ( SEAD ) 4: national security Adjudicative Guidelines I have about... Very important factors in the security clearance and is mostly No family doesnt mean arent. Clearance holders must make in this regard are rarely as extreme as some think! Examples - suppose you & # x27 ; s drug use can also be a for. Believe honestly stating his citizenship status will not work as intended if you are going a... Substance Act a spouses overseas ties and financial obligations: national security Adjudicative Guidelines human resources office cookies be... About a spouses overseas ties and financial obligations have some bad apples in the family, the the... By your monthly income your interests a reinvestigation is time for a.. Standards are, and e-mail affect your security clearance investigation Evaluation Program Strengthens security Internal! Our websites, including by 147.4, Guideline B, foreign Influence it These investigations provide information for to! Cause for concern 15 years avoiding security clearance determines their eligibility to to...

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