Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle similar to those of most American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and became a music instructor.
Her life progressed for many years with little cause to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced 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 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I frequently explain 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 just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"It should be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the promise that America made to every of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
