Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family during 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
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 belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for many years with little cause to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates 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 the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my existence, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"From my perspective right now, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"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 story and please follow through with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
