Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her biological father served of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle similar to those of most young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, got married and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for decades with little cause to question her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her Social Security card and required a new one.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention 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 a US national. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Legal Background
For decades, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adoptees and their relatives have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said an attorney working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"From my perspective right now, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the commitment that America gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
