Denied Interim Security Clearance... any chance of getting the real thing?

[Anonymous]

I am slightly freaked out now. My DH works for the federal govt and recently found out that he was denied his interim security clearance. We are guessing that the red flags are:
- Over $100K in student loans. Although currently they are in deferment. He has never been in default / bankruptcy / judgement or anything like that.
- Family ties to the middle-east. One of his parents is from the middle east, so he has a lot of foreign members of his family.
- He has foreign friends and lived abroad within the last 7 yrs.
- My work has me in Cuba from time to time. My trips are totally legal under the Dept of Treasury guidelines re: the embargo.

In reading the guidelines, while these might require attention (thus the denial of the interim security clearance), we didn't think they would cause an out and out denial of full security clearance. What are other people's experiences and thoughts?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

you should consult an attorney -- his application could get stalled for a long time.

[Anonymous]

OP here - It actually has been stalled for the last year, but the issue was brought to the attention of some senior level people and now it is being accelerated. Supposedly, he should have an answer in the next week, but we are both freaked out waiting. Are these issues that always disqualify people, or are they just matters that require further examination?

[Anonymous]

Yes their is definitely a chance the clearance can still go through. I used to work on security clearances and the interim clearance approval is an automatic processing and you will pass if you meet their clear criteriat (say you are born in VA, have always lived in VA, all family members were born and lived in VA, have no debt, have never been arrested, have never "experimented with drugs" etc.) Anything outside of that will require a person from FISD to actually read your husband's eQUIP application and make a determination of whether or not he can be granted the clearance based on the risk criteria.

Based on what you have outline as to what you think my cause the denial I'm not sure where those issues fall on the risk scale. Student loans that are in good standing do not usually have as much impact as opposed to say 100k in credit card debt. For the ties to the middle east that is much more tricky and will really depend on your situation and the discussion your husband has with his investigator.

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP and meant to say that the 1 year isn't unusual. Your husband's clearance has to be reviewed by an investigator and while they are trying to clear the backlog and complete everyone's within several months that is just not happening. There just aren't enough investigators to go around so things are still moving slowly. The good news is that unlike several years ago if your husband is denied for permanent clearance he will actually find out. Before 05 (i think) your application would just fall into a black hole and whenever you would check it would always be "in process."

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the insight - and especially the info re: student loans in good standing. I am glad to hear that while large, they are not necessarily considered a huge risk factor. My husband is definitely not a born in VA, always lived in VA, all family members from VA type of guy. Hopefully this will all work out!

Any other experiences and insights are very welcome.

[Anonymous]

random question to the person who used to work on clearances...I'm five years sober, would I ever get clearance if I had a drinking problem in the past?

[Anonymous]

I would think yes but it would depend on the level of the clearance, if there were legal issues associated with your drinking, if you were under the treatment of a physician etc. I'm trying to remember what the question is for drinking or drugs on the eQuip form. I think for a Secret the focus is on drugs within the last 7 years but they verbally ask you about your drinking and confirm it with who you list as a reference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:random question to the person who used to work on clearances...I'm five years sober, would I ever get clearance if I had a drinking problem in the past?

Ironic, since there are pleanty of alcoholics currently with high level clearances accross various agencies.

[Anonymous]

I was denied a DHS clearance 6 years ago and received a DoD one - but when I got teh DoD 1 I was demied interim.

I also have a co-worker who was denied interim and got the full.

There is nothing you can do - do not change the story as to how close you are to relatives - your travel to Cuba etc.

Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

A friend of mine recently posted a link on facebook that might be interesting reading for you:

http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/doha/industrial/2009.html

I looked through some of them and it seems like foreign ties and international travel weren't usually cause to deny clearance.

the other posters are right in that with some of these factors, since his case isn't 100% clear-cut, it's just taking longer. Chances are that he'll be granted a clearance, though. I know it's nerve-wracking to wait - good luck!

my daughter's dad did all sorts of drugs in college and immediately afterward and he has a very high-level clearance. He just admitted to everything he'd ever done, and since it was a long time ago and there wasn't a pattern of usage since (or reason for anyone to blackmail him), the drug use wasn't an issue. If alcohol abuse was shown to be truly in the past, with a documented history of recovery and no relapses, I'd think it would be treated the same way.

[Anonymous]

Since this is a security clearance, you might want to consider not posting on a public forum with fairly specific details about your situation-- especially from your home computer.

[Anonymous]

To the immediate PP - there's no violation in discussing the status of your clearance, so the OP doesn't have to worry about asking for advice.

To the OP - my experience is very similar to yours in certain key details. My only piece of advice is that the family ties seem to be the biggest issue - they were far more interested in my elderly inlaws who are long-time citizens than in my own travel to various "Axis of Evil" states. I don't know if this sensitivity correlates to actual security risks or if it is just the default approach, but I've seen it in many cases involving immigrants from the Middle East or their spouses - even individuals who served in the US military, who required very senior level interventions to move the process along.

Note that the likelihood of receiving a final clearance will depend on what agency your husband is applying to. Even a very high level clearance at State is easier to get than one for various intelligence agencies.

To the other PP - I've generally heard that as long as any problems with alcohol / drug use are well in the past - and as long as you are totally honest about them - you're likely okay, but it probably depends on the agency and the situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A friend of mine recently posted a link on facebook that might be interesting reading for you:

http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/doha/industrial/2009.html

I looked through some of them and it seems like foreign ties and international travel weren't usually cause to deny clearance.

the other posters are right in that with some of these factors, since his case isn't 100% clear-cut, it's just taking longer. Chances are that he'll be granted a clearance, though. I know it's nerve-wracking to wait - good luck!

my daughter's dad did all sorts of drugs in college and immediately afterward and he has a very high-level clearance. He just admitted to everything he'd ever done, and since it was a long time ago and there wasn't a pattern of usage since (or reason for anyone to blackmail him), the drug use wasn't an issue. If alcohol abuse was shown to be truly in the past, with a documented history of recovery and no relapses, I'd think it would be treated the same way.

OP here - The link is so interesting. It definitely helped to lessen some of the anxiety! Thanks.

[Anonymous]

There are law firms in DC that do this kind of work. The earlier in the process you retain counsel the better off you will be. Don't miss any deadlines to appeal so that you can preserve your rights. It is possible to successfully challenge interim and final denials.