Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adoptees have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of government officials, was taken in by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to 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
For decades, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
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 some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said a legal professional working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, 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 equal to their biological siblings of guardians who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and honor with the commitment that America gave each one of the children that were brought here: US nationality."
