Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father was a member of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can express it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up living a life similar to that of many American youths.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a music instructor.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her Social Security card and required a new one.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of authorities, was taken in by an American couple 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 still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said an attorney working with adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"From my perspective currently, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"It should be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the promise that America made to every of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."
