Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family during 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her biological father served of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can express it," says Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life similar to that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, got married and became a music instructor.
Her life progressed for many years with little cause to question her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her government identification and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
For decades, intercountry adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further following recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional working with adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts 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: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said an attorney.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the commitment that America gave each one of the children that were brought here: American citizenship."
