Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her biological father served of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can express it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life similar to that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for many years with no reason to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice 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 was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said a legal professional working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will that should unite people from all political parties.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the commitment that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
