Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to Texas.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life similar to those of most American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, got married and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said a legal professional specializing in adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
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 an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the time of birth," said a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America made to every of the children that were brought here: American citizenship."
