Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can express it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many American youths.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East 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 continue to feel that today," she states.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"From my perspective currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be equal to their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," said 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 put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the promise that America made to every of the children that were brought here: US nationality."
