Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put 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 living a life comparable with those of most young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their families have risen even further since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
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 merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter 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 guardians who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that America made to every of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
