🔗 Share this article

Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.

Hailing from South Korea, her birth father served of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.

"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.

Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to Texas.

Growing Up American

She was raised living a life comparable with that of many American youths.

"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.

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

Life carried on for decades with no reason to question her American identity.

But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.

Discovering Non-Citizen Status

She lost her government identification and required a new one.

But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.

"I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.

A Common Issue

Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.

Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by 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 the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.

"I adapted to my life, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she states.

Legal Background

For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.

Current Fears

Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further since recent political changes.

Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.

"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said an attorney working with adoption law.

Stateless Feeling

"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she said.

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

"From my perspective 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 unite people from all political parties.

"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were American nationals 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 share their experiences.

"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.

"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the promise that the United States made to every of the children that were brought here: American citizenship."