Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, 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 brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up living a life comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief like many American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became 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 required a new one.
But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my existence, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Legal Background
Over many years, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said an attorney specializing in adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
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.
"It should be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the time of birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our story and honor with the promise that America made to every of the babies that were brought here: US nationality."
