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

Hailing from South Korea, her birth father was a member of the American military, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.

"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.

After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.

Growing Up American

She was raised living a life similar to those of most young Americans.

"I lived and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.

Shirley had children, got married and worked as a music instructor.

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

However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.

Citizenship Crisis

She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.

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

"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.

Widespread Problem

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

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

Additional Account

A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.

"I adapted to my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.

Legal Background

Over many years, international adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.

Current Fears

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

Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.

"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted an attorney specializing in adoption law.

Lacking National Identity

"Ultimately, they don't care about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.

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

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

Possible Resolution

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

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

Last Appeal

Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.

"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she said.

"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that the United States made to every of the babies that were brought here: US nationality."