Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from 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 adopted by a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed 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 Social Security card and required a new one.
But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adoptees have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an American couple 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 continue to feel that today," she states.
Historical Context
For decades, international adoptions approved by legal systems 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.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be equal to their biological siblings of guardians who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and honor with the promise that America made to every of the children that were brought here: American citizenship."
