Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father was a member of the American military, who returned home soon 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 welcomed into the home of a US couple, who brought her to Texas.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up living a life comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, got married and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for decades with little cause to doubt her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my life, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Legal Background
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted an attorney specializing in adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"From my perspective right now, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would request to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and honor with the promise that America made to every of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."
