🔗 Share this article

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

Hailing from South Korea, her birth father served of the American military, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.

"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.

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

Growing Up American

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

"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.

She became a mother, got married and worked as a piano teacher.

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

However in 2012, her world came crashing down.

Citizenship Crisis

She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.

However when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.

"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.

Widespread Problem

This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.

Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, according to advocacy groups.

Additional Account

A different individual, 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 life, 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 legal systems did not assure US citizenship.

The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.

Present Concerns

These concerns 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 came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney working with adoptee cases.

Lacking National Identity

"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 expressed.

"I always tell people that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.

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

Possible Resolution

Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.

"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," said an attorney.

Final Plea

Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.

"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.

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