Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father was a member of the American military, who returned home soon 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 welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life similar to that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, intercountry adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted a legal professional specializing in adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that the United States made to every of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
