Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life similar to that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of government officials, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"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.
Historical Context
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their families have risen even further since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our accounts and honor with the commitment that America gave each one of the children that were brought here: US nationality."
