Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for many years with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her government identification and required a new one.
But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of authorities, was taken in by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my existence, always understanding that I was an American citizen. 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 Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I always tell people 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 gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters 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 into a room, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the promise that the United States gave each one of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
