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Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.

Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.

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

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

An American Upbringing

Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many young Americans.

"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many American teenagers of the 80s. 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.

But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.

Discovering Non-Citizen Status

She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.

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

"I experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.

Widespread Problem

Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.

Dozens adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.

Another Story

Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.

"I adapted to my life, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.

Legal Background

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 addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.

Current Fears

These concerns for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further following shifts in administration.

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

"When the election results came in, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted a legal professional working with adoptee cases.

Stateless Feeling

"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.

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

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

Potential Solution

Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.

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

Final Plea

Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.

"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.

"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and honor with the promise that the United States gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."