Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father served of the American military, who returned home soon 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 welcomed into the home of a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, got married and worked as a music instructor.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an American couple 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 still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," 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 you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"From my perspective currently, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," said an attorney.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
