Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her biological father was a member of the American military, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle similar to those of most young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, got married and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her government identification and required a new one.
However when she visited her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to advocacy groups.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she says.
Legal Background
For decades, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially since shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said a legal professional specializing in adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will 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 guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the children that were brought here: US nationality."
