Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father served of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put 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 Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life comparable with those of most young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, got married and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to question her American identity.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card and required a new one.
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 a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adopted individuals 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 gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"From my perspective currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
