Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can express it," states Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, 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 lived and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to question her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Historical Context
Over many years, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee 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 adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups 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 requests for help," noted a legal professional specializing in adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"It should be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that the United States gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
