Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up living a life similar to that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, according to advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my life, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results came in, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
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 this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: 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 a legal advocate.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America made to every of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
