Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," says Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life comparable with that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to question her American identity.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she says.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about 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 life, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted an attorney specializing in adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, 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 this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were American nationals 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 similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America gave each one of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."
