Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her biological father served of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to Texas.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up living a life comparable with those of most young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a music instructor.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and required a new one.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially since shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for many years, attorneys believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"It should be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the promise that America gave each one of the babies that were brought here: US nationality."
