Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," says Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life similar to that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a music instructor.
Her life progressed for many years with little cause to question her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
Another woman, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East 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 continue to feel that today," she states.
Historical Context
For decades, intercountry adoptions approved by 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.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney specializing in adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, 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 fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"From my perspective currently, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that the United States made to every of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."
