Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father served of the American military, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up living a life comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Her life progressed for many years with little cause to question her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, always understanding 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 legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful 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 currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, attorneys believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"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 gave each one of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."
