Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can express it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief similar to other American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
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.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
