Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father served of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to question her American identity.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Historical Context
For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further since recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"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 frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"From my perspective currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be equal to 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 meet with national leaders into a room, 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 put on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and honor with the promise that America gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
