Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," says Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many American youths.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to question her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack 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.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was taken in by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. 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 rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said a legal professional working with adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would request to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and honor with the promise that the United States made to every of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
