Security Question

enigmatronic

Greetings, H/A! This is an alt, because I have a sensitive question. I would prefer answers from people working in security cleared jobs in the U.S. federal workspace if possible. Does anyone have any ideas how likely it is that it would be found out that a friend was dating and living with an illegal immigrant? Far more importantly: would such a thing be cause to deny a secret security clearance? A secret security clearance is expected for an upcoming job, and it's rather relevant if the other thing is likely to be found out and pose a problem.

RUNN1NGMAN

Are you applying for a clearance, and are concerned about your friend's relationship? Or is it your friend who is applying for a clearance?

On the SF-86 you can see the questions they ask about foreign contacts. It basically boils down to whether you have a close personal or business relationship with any foreign nationals. They aren't going to care that the person is an illegal alien. It's not going to factor into the decision to give you a clearance unless the person turns out to be an agent of a foreign power or something.

If you "accidentally" leave it off and the investigator finds out some how it will totally fuck you though.

SF-86 You want to look at questions 19 and 20.

cmsamo

I know from recently having my own clearance renewed that these people can be thorough. It's best not to be dishonest in any way shape or form with regards any questions you are asked. In the case of the Nato SC clearance that I have, I was asked to disclose full information on my personal relationship, and also provide details of my parents. The vetting agency then investigated the people I'd named.

One might assume that if a person who is having a relationship with an illegal immigrant wants clearance, then they will need to disclose the full details of that person, and I'd assume that in the process of checking out the individuals, a government agency might discover that person's illegal status. (See question 17C in SF-86)

I dont know if anything would happen to the applicant personally (as long as you declare the individual as a partner), but I think the alien might end up in trouble.

If you are the one applying for clearance, and you happen to have an aquaintance (who is not a family member) who is dating an illegal immigrant, then I don't see how that can affect your application, because it's not your business what someone else is doing, and you wouldn't have had the opportunity to declare knowledge of it on the application form.

NargorothRiP

be very careful when answering questions on the SF-86. Never give more information than is needed and dont lie. For a secret they generally only do a check of criminal, credit and run your name through NCIC. It isnt until you get to the Top Secret level that you start getting SSBI's single scope background investigation.

they want to know people you are associated with and how you can be influenced. Your friend's illegal immigrant SO is not something you are answerable and not something they would expect you to know.

3drage

For Secret they wont go in as far as a TS clearance. I've seen some pretty bankrupt scummy people working for the govt so obviously their credit history didn't matter much. Sometimes they might ask neighbors about you, and if they know they are living with an illegal might get scared and cough up the goods, at which point since you lied on the form it would disqualify.

Usually they just run the normal background checks and clearance is given, unless something strange comes up in the past that wasn't revealed on the form. Personally I doubt there would be any issues, but if you are dealing with Secret information is it really a good idea to also be living with a foreigner who is breaking the law?

NargorothRiP

each agency has its own ajudication requirements. so for ICE not foreign nationals, for IRS or treasury not bad credit. you can find the different requirements if you do somed google.com

Limp moose

Do not lie on that form. They will find out. These people are incredibly thorough and they will interview in person everybody you put on the form. You have no idea what the people they interview are going to say. When I did my first round for secret I named 3 friends from college and they were all interviewed. One said I used to party pretty hard in school and years later during a polygraph I got grilled about what happened years ago in college and weather it could be held against me for leverage.

If you are dating an illegal just disclose it.

If you just know a friend is. Probably not as big of a deal.