Security checks for the US Government

[milly143]

I'll try and make this as simple as possible, my brother's girlfriend's sister (got it) is in the Navy (I think) and is being sent to America to do some work with Anti-terrorism. They obviously require a huge security check for her to do this and she called up my brother to ask for his surname, where he was born, etc. I was wondering if the fact that my Dad was declared bankrupt would have any baring on anything or would they just be checking that my brother had not been in trouble with anything? Just wondered how far they would go really.

[PhilLew]

It is more than likley they would do a finacial check but I don't know if that will extend to the aplicants Sisters Boyfriend's Father.

The reason for a financial check is that people with large debt are thought to be more at risk of being bribed to do somthing (spying, selling secrets etc).

[parkesquay]

On the assumption that this question is not a wind-up then the short answer don't even bother to mention it.

It is perfectly normal for Servicemen/women to have to undergo 'Positive Vetting' for sensitive jobs but as the connection to your father is about as remote as one could get don't even bother to mention his bankruptcy. What they are after is confirmation that she isn't into the drugs scene(for example) or is a regular visitor to Pakistan - that type of thing.

[milly143]

It's definatley not a wind up. Can't see how that would be very funny. I just wondered how far they would be checking really. Not that anyone has anything to hide, I just thought it was odd that they wanted my brothers details as well.

[Skids]

The Americans being very edgy at the moment want to make sure that any foreign person working for them is not presenting a security risk. Of course, our own government carries out its own vetting procedure depending on the person's position, or future position, but the US don't trust anyone outside of their own borders so they'll carry out their own. Your Dad's bankrupcy would have very little or no baring whatsoever, especially as your Dad and your brother's girlfriend's sister are in no way related. Your brother will be checked because he is in a relationship with the person's sister. All they want to know is that the person doesn't know anyone close(ish) that has been involved in terrorism. (By the way, terrorism covers a large number of activities. Greenpeace is a terrorist organisation.)