Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father was a member of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," states Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life comparable with that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Historical Context
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
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 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 please follow through with the promise that America gave each one of the babies that were brought here: US nationality."
