Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states 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.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up living a life comparable with that of many American youths.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Another Story
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further following recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested 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."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president into a room, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"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 made to every of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
