Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," says Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up living a life similar to that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, got married and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to question her American identity.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
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 had an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their families have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action 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 parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president 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 infants and young children. Just please hear our story and honor with the promise that America gave each one of the children that were brought here: American citizenship."
