Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who went back soon 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 US couple, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life similar to that of many American youths.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and worked as a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to question her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her Social Security card and required a new one.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through 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 children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, attorneys believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"It should 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
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," 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 the United States gave each one of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."
