Clearance Applicants With Foreign Links to Face Less Scrutiny

The Office of the Director for National Intelligence plans to ease security clearance investigations for selected applicants with foreign contacts. The measure is intended to alleviate delays in security clearance processing.

Glenn Stampler, deputy director for oversight and liaison for the Director of National Intelligence’s Special Security Center, said the stringent background checks are backing up the security clearance process.

Only intelligence offices within the Defense and State departments, which have borne the brunt of these clearance requirements, would be affected by rule changes, he said:

“It’s driving the military crazy,” Stampler said. “They cannot get people cleared fast enough, because people who are stationed overseas marry foreign nationals.”

Also, Foreign Service officers at State have to make foreign contacts as part of their job, he said.

Filed Under: Reform, Procedures