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

Born in South Korea, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home soon 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 American pair, who took her back to Texas.

Growing Up American

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

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

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

Her life progressed for many years with little cause to doubt her US citizenship.

But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.

Citizenship Crisis

She lost her government identification and needed a replacement.

But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.

"I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she says.

A Common Issue

This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.

Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, according to advocacy groups.

Another Story

A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.

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

Historical Context

For decades, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.

Current Fears

Those fears for adoptees and their families have risen even further following recent political changes.

Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.

"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional working with adoptee cases.

Lacking National Identity

"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she said.

"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.

"From my perspective currently, I feel stateless."

Possible Resolution

Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of political will 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 natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.

Final Plea

Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and others like her could share their experiences.

"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.

"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and honor with the commitment that America made to every of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."