Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her biological father was a member of the American military, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life comparable with those of most American youths.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Her life progressed for many years with no reason to question her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, consistently believing that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Historical Context
For decades, international adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for many years, attorneys believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," said an attorney.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
