Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth 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," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who brought her to Texas.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for decades with little cause to question her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card and required a new one.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from the Middle East 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 continue to feel that today," she says.
Legal Background
For decades, 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 increased substantially since recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"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 unite people from all political parties.
"It should be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the commitment that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
