Hello, I’m an Air Traffic Controller who is preparing to apply for a Public Trust clearance, and I have a few concerns that I’m trying to get out in front of. 1. I’ve been in regular contact with a woman from Colombia since August of 2024 who I am interested in marrying. I have sent her money somewhat regularly for purposes of buying food, paying rent, a few medical bills, and I helped her to get a passport, and a tourist Visa so that we can meet. To my knowledge she has no political ties to any foreign government. 2. I have filed chapter 13 bankruptcy in November of 24. But I’m current on all owed payments. I just fell on hard times, because of number 3. I also have student loans that are on hold for the bankruptcy. 3. I failed a security clearance background check for a federal contract position which is different than the FAA security clearance, and that failure cost me my job. The reason that I was denied was, because I was late in filing my taxes in 2023 for the 2022 year, and I owed the government money. After that I was given a clearance, but I had to sign a form that said I would have no further derogatory tax related issues. Then in 2024 the irs owed me a return, and I was late for filing. I filed during the investigation, and showed that I was due a return, but that didn’t matter to them. I have already filed my 2024 taxes, and I am due a return. I’m reaching out for advice on how to proceed. I’m very patriotic, and would never consider intentionally doing anything to damage the integrity of the United States. Aside from these issues, I can think of nothing else that would be considered a negative. Thank you.
You would not get a clearance. Public Trust, maayybeeee. That bankruptcy is going to cause some problems. Can you ask for work that doesn’t require it?
Public trust is not a clearance. And you sound like you’re getting catfished my dude. Stop sending money overseas.
While individually (maybe not the sending money to a foreign national) these issues may not get you a denial, taken together, and the fact that they are recent, or ongoing, means you’d have a low chance of getting cleared.
Cut it off with the woman, stop sending her money, get your finances in order and file your taxes (even when owed a refund) on time. I’m not trying to bash you, just give you a dose of reality.
FWIW, I filed for bankruptcy WHILE cleared. I had to provide documentation when the bankruptcy was filed, and for a few years after that. It’s not a deal breaker, depending on the reason (now ex spouse was out of work for a lengthy period of time) but you will have to demonstrate steps taken to prevent the same issue cropping up in the future (hence the reason he’s an ex 
)