Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member 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, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
An American Upbringing
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to question her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many American adoptees are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by 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 adapted to 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, intercountry adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted a legal professional specializing in adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support 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 US citizens at the moment of their birth," said an attorney.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would request to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that the United States made to every of the children that were brought here: US nationality."
