Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most American youths.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
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 American adoptees lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported 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 adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my existence, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Historical Context
For decades, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their families have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I always tell people that one document 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 left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of political will that should unite people from all political parties.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," said a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were placed 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 were brought here: American citizenship."
