🔗 Share this article

Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.

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

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

Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who brought her to Texas.

An American Upbringing

She was raised living a life similar to those of most young Americans.

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

Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.

Her life progressed for many years with little cause to question her American identity.

But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.

Citizenship Crisis

She lost her government identification and needed a replacement.

However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.

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

A Common Issue

This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.

Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.

Another Story

Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.

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

Historical Context

Over many years, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.

The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.

Current Fears

Those fears for adoptees and their families have risen even further since recent political changes.

Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.

"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said an attorney working with adoption law.

Stateless Feeling

"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.

"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.

"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."

Possible Resolution

Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.

"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be equal to their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.

Final Plea

Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and others like her could share their experiences.

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

"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the promise that the United States gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."