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Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.

Hailing from South Korea, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.

"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, now 61.

Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.

An American Upbringing

Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many American youths.

"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.

Shirley had children, got married and worked as a music instructor.

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

However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.

Discovering Non-Citizen Status

She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.

However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.

"I experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.

Widespread Problem

This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.

Numerous adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.

Another Story

Another woman, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.

"I adapted to my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she states.

Legal Background

For decades, international adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not assure 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 relatives have increased substantially since shifts in administration.

Advocacy organizations 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," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.

Stateless Feeling

"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.

"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.

"From my perspective currently, I feel without a country."

Potential Solution

Despite adoptees being left in limbo for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.

"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented an attorney.

Final Plea

Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.

"I would request to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she said.

"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our story and honor with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."