Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can express it," says Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most American youths.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. 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 doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
Another woman, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted a legal professional 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 you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"From my perspective currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will that should unite people from all political parties.
"It should be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as 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 meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and honor with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the children that were brought here: US nationality."
