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

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

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

After around a year, 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 those of most young Americans.

"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.

Shirley had children, got married and became a music instructor.

Her life progressed for decades with no reason 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.

But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.

"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.

Widespread Problem

This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.

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

Additional Account

Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was taken in by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.

"I adapted to my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she states.

Historical Context

For decades, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.

Current Fears

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

Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.

"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.

Lacking National Identity

"Ultimately, 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 always tell people this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.

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

Potential Solution

Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.

"It should be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.

Final Plea

Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and others like her could explain their stories.

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

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