Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can express it," says Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up living a life comparable with that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she says.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
Over many years, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted a legal professional specializing in adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter 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 guardians who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said an attorney.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the promise that the United States gave each one of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."
