Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," states Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life comparable with that of many American youths.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief 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.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to question her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
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 removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she states.
Historical Context
Over many years, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
