Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father served of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up living a life similar to that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for many years with no reason to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially since shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the time of birth," said an attorney.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were placed 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."
