Private Bill for Rebecca Trimble Moves Forward

House Report, Feb. 1, 2022

"... In the modern era, Congress has enacted private bills on behalf of individuals like Ms. Trimble. In the 108th Congress, the President signed into law, a private bill for Richi James Lesley, who was born in Korea and adopted in Seoul by a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force and his wife. After his adoptive father’s untimely death, Mr. Lesley’s mother became unable to care for him and his elder sister. As such, the Air Force transported Mr. Lesley and his sister to Columbus Air Force Base for placement with their adoptive father’s mother in the United States. Mr. Lesley resided in the United States with his grandmother and later, other family and friends, from age one until he left home to attend college. Mr. Lesley did not realize that he was not a U.S. citizen until 2000, when proceedings to deport him were initiated. Having no other option for obtaining permanent residence, a private bill on Mr. Lesley’s behalf was enacted. Like Mr. Lesley, until she was in her early twenties, Ms. Trimble believed that she was a U.S. citizen by virtue of adoption. Considering these facts and the severe impact that her removal would have on her U.S. citizen family and her community in Alaska, the Committee has determined that this private bill meets the adoption precedent. ... The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 681) for the relief of Rebecca Trimble, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that the bill do pass."