Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple during 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many American youths.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, got married and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for decades with little cause to doubt her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to advocacy groups.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said an attorney working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our story and honor with the commitment that the United States made to every of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
