Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life similar to those of most American youths.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, according to advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Historical Context
For decades, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their families have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"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 always tell people that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"From my perspective currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
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 ask him to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America made to every of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."
