Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her biological father served of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up living a life similar to that of many young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, got married and became a music instructor.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
However 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 went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an American couple 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
For decades, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their families have risen even further following recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted an attorney working with adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, they don't care about your personal history. They're not interested 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.
"From my perspective right now, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, 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 equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
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 please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that the United States gave each one of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
