🔗 Share this article

Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.

Born in the Korean peninsula, her biological father served of the American military, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.

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

Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.

An American Upbringing

Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle similar to those of most young Americans.

"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.

Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a music instructor.

Her life progressed for many years with no reason to question her American identity.

But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.

Discovering Non-Citizen Status

She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.

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

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

A Common Issue

Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.

Dozens adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.

Additional Account

Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.

"I settled into my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.

Historical Context

Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.

The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.

Current Fears

These concerns for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further since recent political changes.

Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by 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 an attorney working with adoption law.

Lacking National Identity

"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.

"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.

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

Potential Solution

Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.

"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," said an attorney.

Last Appeal

Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.

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

"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and honor with the promise that America made to every of the children that were brought here: US nationality."