Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple during 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can express it," says Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Legal Background
Over many years, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their families have increased substantially since shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said 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 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 stated.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"It should be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our story and honor with the promise that the United States made to every of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
