Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her birth father served of the American military, who returned home shortly 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 welcomed into the home of a US couple, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers of the 80s. 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 no reason to question her American identity.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
Those fears for adoptees and their families have increased substantially since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo 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 a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented an attorney.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the commitment that America made to every of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
