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

Born in South Korea, her biological 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," states Shirley, now 61.

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

An American Upbringing

Shirley grew up living a life similar to that of many American youths.

"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many teenage Americans of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.

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

Life carried on for many years with little cause to doubt her US citizenship.

But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.

Discovering Non-Citizen Status

She lost her government identification and needed a replacement.

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

"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.

Widespread Problem

Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.

Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to advocacy groups.

Another Story

Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.

"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.

Legal Background

For decades, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies 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.

Present Concerns

Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially since recent political changes.

Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.

"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said a legal professional working with adoption law.

Lacking National Identity

"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.

"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.

"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."

Possible Resolution

Despite adoptees 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.

"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.

Last Appeal

The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.

"I would request to show understanding. 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 children that got on those planes: American citizenship."