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

Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father served of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.

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

Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to Texas.

Growing Up American

She was raised living a life similar to that of many young Americans.

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

She became a mother, got married and worked as a piano teacher.

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

However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.

Discovering Non-Citizen Status

She misplaced her Social Security card and required a new one.

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

"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.

Widespread Problem

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

Numerous adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.

Another Story

Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, 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 still believe that today," she says.

Legal Background

Over many years, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.

The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.

Present Concerns

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

Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.

"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted a legal professional specializing in adoption law.

Lacking National Identity

"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.

"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.

"From my perspective 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 unite people from across the political spectrum.

"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children 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.

Last Appeal

The adoptee hopes 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 placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."