Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can express it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
An American Upbringing
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, got married and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to question her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my existence, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Legal Background
For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their families have risen even further following recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said a legal professional working with adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"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 without a country."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, 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 commitment that the United States made to every of the children that were brought here: US nationality."
