Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father served of the American military, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Her life progressed for many years with little cause to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering 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 removed to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adoptees and their families have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said an attorney working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned 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 this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, 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: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.
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 request to please have some compassion. 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 promise that the United States gave each one of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
