Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father served of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," states Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for decades with little cause to question her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East 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.
Historical Context
For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said an attorney working with adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"From my perspective currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should unite people from all political parties.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be equal to their biological siblings of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president into a room, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the promise that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."