Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family 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 left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for decades with little cause to question her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she says.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was taken in 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 was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
Those fears for adoptees and their families have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney specializing in adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the promise that the United States gave each one of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
