Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life similar to that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for many years with no reason to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced 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 had a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
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 countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
For decades, intercountry adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," 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."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate.
Final Plea
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 show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that the United States gave each one of the children that were brought here: US nationality."
