Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her biological father served 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," says Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to Texas.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life similar to those of most young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adopted individuals have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my life, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
Over many years, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said an attorney working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the promise that America gave each one of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
