Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can express it," says Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who brought her to Texas.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up living a life similar to that of many 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 worked as a piano teacher.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Historical Context
For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said a legal professional specializing in adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"From my perspective right now, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president into a room, 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. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America made to every of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
