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Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.

Born in South Korea, her birth father was a member of the American military, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.

"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.

Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to Texas.

Growing Up American

Shirley grew up living a life comparable with those of most young Americans.

"I moved and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.

She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.

Her life progressed for decades with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.

However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.

Discovering Non-Citizen Status

She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.

But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.

"I had an emotional collapse upon discovering 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 adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.

Additional Account

Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.

"I adapted to my life, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she states.

Historical Context

For decades, international adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.

Present Concerns

These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have increased substantially following shifts in administration.

Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.

"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said an attorney specializing in adoption law.

Stateless Feeling

"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.

"I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.

"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."

Potential Solution

Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will 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 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 into a room, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.

"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.

"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the promise that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."