Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle similar to those of most young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a piano teacher.
Life carried on for decades with no reason 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.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said a legal professional working with adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"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 just a paperwork error," she said.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America gave each one of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
