Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her biological father served of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can express it," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life comparable with those of most American youths.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Another Story
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Historical Context
For decades, international adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said a legal professional specializing in adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned 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 fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes 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 aren't undocumented immigrants," 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 were brought here: US nationality."
