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Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.

Born in South Korea, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.

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

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

An American Upbringing

She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most young Americans.

"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.

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

Life carried on for decades with little cause to question her US citizenship.

However in 2012, her world came crashing down.

Citizenship Crisis

She lost her government identification and required a new one.

However when she visited her local Social Security office, 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 says.

Widespread Problem

This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.

Dozens adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, according to advocacy groups.

Another Story

Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.

"I adapted to my life, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.

Legal Background

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

The Children's Citizenship Law 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 recent political changes.

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," said 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 merely documentation issues," she expressed.

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

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

Potential Solution

Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, legal experts 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: children through adoption should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.

Last Appeal

The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.

"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.

"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the promise that America gave each one of the children that were brought here: US nationality."