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Shirley Chung was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family during 1966.

Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.

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

Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to the Lone Star State.

Growing Up American

She was raised living a life comparable with those of most American youths.

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

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

Life carried on for many years with no reason to doubt her American identity.

But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.

Discovering Non-Citizen Status

She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.

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

"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she says.

A Common Issue

Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.

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

Additional Account

Another woman, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.

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

Legal Background

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

The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.

Current Fears

Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially following recent political changes.

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

"When the election results came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said an attorney working with adoptee cases.

Lacking National Identity

"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.

"I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.

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

Possible Resolution

Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.

"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," said an attorney.

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 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 story and honor with the commitment that the United States made to every of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."