Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up living a life comparable with that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for decades with little cause to question her American identity.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her government agency, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she states.
Historical Context
For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their families have increased substantially since shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"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 always tell people that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, 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: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
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 ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the commitment that America gave each one of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
