Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family during 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for decades with little cause to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her government identification and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"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 states.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for decades, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," said an attorney.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, 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 put on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America gave each one of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
