Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her biological father was a member of the American military, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her Social Security card and required a new one.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my life, consistently believing that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted an attorney specializing in adoption law.
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 always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the commitment that the United States made to every of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
