Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father served 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, 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
She was raised living a life comparable with those of most American youths.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Life carried on for decades with little cause to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her government identification and required a new one.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their relatives have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said an attorney working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your personal history. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"It should be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the promise that America made to every of the children that were brought here: American citizenship."
