Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family during 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her biological father served of the American military, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many American youths.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, got married and worked as a music instructor.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Historical Context
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said an attorney working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for decades, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented an attorney.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president into a room, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our accounts and honor with the promise that the United States gave each one of the babies that were brought here: US nationality."
