Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple during 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can express it," states Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, 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 American youths.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to question her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her government identification and required a new one.
But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure 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 families have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned 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 that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said an attorney.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."
