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

Hailing from South Korea, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.

"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, now 61.

After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to Texas.

Growing Up American

She was raised living a life comparable with those of most young Americans.

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

She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a music instructor.

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

However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.

Discovering Non-Citizen Status

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

However when she visited her government agency, 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.

A Common Issue

This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.

Numerous adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, according to advocacy groups.

Additional Account

Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.

"I adapted to my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.

Legal Background

For decades, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.

Current Fears

These concerns for adoptees and their families have increased substantially following shifts in administration.

Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.

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

Lacking National Identity

"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.

"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.

"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."

Potential Solution

Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.

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

Final Plea

The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.

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

"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the promise that the United States gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."