Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple during 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way 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 similar to that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her government identification and required a new one.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Historical Context
For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"From my perspective currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will that should unite people from all political parties.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens 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 similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the commitment that America made to every of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
