Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and required a new one.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, 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, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, intercountry adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They're not interested that you're legally here 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.
"From my perspective currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings 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 similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the promise that the United States made to every of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
