Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most American youths.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for many years with no reason to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their families have risen even further since recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said an attorney working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that your presence is lawful 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 in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our accounts and honor with the commitment that the United States made to every of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
