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

Hailing from South Korea, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.

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

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

An American Upbringing

Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many young Americans.

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

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

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

However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.

Discovering Non-Citizen Status

She misplaced her Social Security card and required a new one.

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

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

Widespread Problem

This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.

Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.

Additional Account

A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.

"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.

Historical Context

For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.

Current Fears

Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially following recent political changes.

Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.

"When the election results came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.

Stateless Feeling

"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she said.

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

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

Possible Resolution

Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.

"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.

Last Appeal

The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.

"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she said.

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