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Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.

Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.

"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.

After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.

Growing Up American

She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with 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 says.

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

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

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

Discovering Non-Citizen Status

She lost her Social Security card 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 lacked citizenship," she says.

A Common Issue

This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.

Numerous adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to advocacy groups.

Another Story

A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.

"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.

Historical Context

For decades, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.

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

Current Fears

Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further since shifts in administration.

Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.

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

Stateless Feeling

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

"I always tell people that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.

"From my perspective right now, I feel without a country."

Potential Solution

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

"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," said a legal advocate.

Last Appeal

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

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

"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the commitment that the United States made to every of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."