Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family 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 kindest phrasing I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up living a life comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a music instructor.
Her life progressed for many years with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her government identification and required a new one.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an US pair 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 was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted a legal professional working with adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your personal history. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"It should be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that America gave each one of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
