Foreign-Born Americans and Security Clearances
I'm not sure whether this should start another thread--it does relate to the issue of being able to translate (and hence exploit) documents, but it has broader implications...
I'm increasingly struck by the relatively low numbers of Middle East-born US nationals who able to get the clearances to do analytical work for CIA, DIA, etc. I've come across this both in meetings with US analysts (where it seems a much, much higher number of our analysts originate from the region), as well as from ex-students with US citizenship but ME origins (even second generation) who have been dropped from agency recruitment processes because of potential clearance issues. (And I do mean potential problems.. not that background checks have turned up anything, but an unwillingness to even start one.)
I fully understand and accept the point that Tom and Ted are making about locally-employed staff. However, is the US intelligence community too restrictive regarding high-level clearances for US citizens with overseas birth or ties?
Profile of traitors vs. profile in use by IC to hire
There appears to be an embedded (cultural?) tendency in the IC hiring process to suspect those with any kinds of "connections" to critical regions.
Yet profile examination of IC members convicted of espionage/treason since 1980 reveals the following variables: white males, christian (majority), jewish (one), anglo saxon, insecure, greedy, alcoholic, financial problems, large egos, disgruntled and could repeatedly pass a poly with flying colors (read: Walkers, Hanssen, Ames etc) The only two that stand out who had familial connections to the state they sold out to were Pollard (Israel) and Montes (Cuba). I think there were also a couple of Chinese descent as well.
Yet, to date, the IC continues to "suspect" those with critical skills. While the hiring process of the IC must be rigorous, potential hires need to meet some sort of "loyalty" criteria rather than trying to shed their ethnic baggage. The IC needs that baggage (language, time spent in region, cultural comprehension) to win the type of long war we indefinitely face.
Wana 88
Are Intelligence Agencies' Hiring Procedures Too Strict?
Dear Small Wars Journal Community,
Firstly, I do not work in intelligence, so you will have to excuse what may be an ignorant question.
Do you guys think (U.S.) intelligence agencies tend to be too strict about who they hire?
I have read about US-born linguists getting turned away for having foreign girlfriends, brief drug use, or for having travelled abroad -- in short, circumstances which do not seem like great reasons to reject an applicant, especially one with a needed skill.
Additionally, what can done to remedy the situation -- if it needs to be remedied?
Thank you,
Magnusmaximus