Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father was a member of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can express it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle similar to those of most young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and became a music instructor.
Her life progressed for many years with little cause to question her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside 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 informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she says.
Legal Background
Over many years, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
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 disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should gain bipartisan support 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 American nationals at the time of birth," commented an attorney.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and honor with the commitment that America gave each one of the babies that were brought here: US nationality."
