Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father served 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," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up living a life similar to that of many young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a music instructor.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to doubt her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside 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 status in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from Iran 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 says.
Legal Background
For decades, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further since recent political changes.
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," said a legal professional working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful 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.
"From my perspective currently, 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 gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our story and honor with the promise that the United States made to every of the babies that were brought here: US nationality."
