Key facts
- FBI official Joshua Obstfeld stated that travel to China does not automatically disqualify applicants for U.S. government security clearances.
- Security clearance adjudications consider a 'whole-person assessment' rather than a simple checklist.
- Concerns during adjudication include recruitment by foreign intelligence services, reliability, and potential leverage against U.S. interests.
- Applicants are advised to be candid about their travel and experiences and to keep records.
An FBI official sought to allay fears that academic travel to China could jeopardize U.S. students' careers in the federal government. Joshua Obstfeld, Senior Executive for External Engagement in the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division, stated at a September 8 briefing hosted by the US-China Education Trust (USCET) that traveling to China is not an automatic disqualifier for security clearances. He emphasized that adjudications involve a 'whole-person assessment,' considering factors such as potential recruitment by foreign intelligence services, an applicant's reliability, and any circumstances that could create leverage against U.S. interests. Obstfeld encouraged applicants to be candid about their experiences and to maintain records of their travel, contacts, and activities.