Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father served of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many 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, got married and became a music instructor.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to question her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adoptees have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East 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 continue to feel that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, 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 international adoptees.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their relatives have increased substantially since recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly 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 just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said an attorney.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the commitment that the United States made to every of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."
