Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father was a member of the American military, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, got married and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her Social Security card and required a new one.
But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, intercountry adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially since shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I always tell people 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, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and honor with the commitment that America made to every of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."
