Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, 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 express it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her Social Security card and required a new one.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of authorities, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies 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.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially since shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said an attorney working with adoptee cases.
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 this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the promise that America gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
