Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family during 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," states Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life similar to that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Her life progressed for many years with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, international adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially since shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for many years, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were American nationals at the time of birth," said an attorney.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the promise that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
