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Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple during 1966.

Born in the Korean peninsula, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.

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

After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to Texas.

An American Upbringing

She was raised experiencing a lifestyle similar to those of most American youths.

"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.

Shirley had children, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.

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

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

"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.

Widespread Problem

Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.

Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.

Additional Account

A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.

"I settled into my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.

Historical Context

Over many years, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.

Current Fears

These concerns for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further since recent political changes.

Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.

"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said a legal professional specializing in 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 expressed.

"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.

"From my perspective currently, I feel stateless."

Potential Solution

Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.

"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate.

Final Plea

The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.

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

"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and honor with the promise that America gave each one of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."