🔗 Share this article US Children Adopted Abroad Facing Anxiety of Removal to Unfamiliar Countries of Origin Shirley Chung, pictured on the right, along with another adoptee choosing to remain unnamed One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966. Born in South Korea, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born. "He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," says Shirley, now 61. Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to Texas. An American Upbringing She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many American youths. "I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says. Shirley had a childhood much like that of many American children Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a music instructor. Life carried on for many years with no reason to doubt her US citizenship. However in 2012, her world came crashing down. Discovering Non-Citizen Status She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement. However when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country. "I experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she says. A Common Issue Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands. Dozens adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, according to advocacy groups. An adoptee from Iran, choosing to not be identified Additional Account Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice 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, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says. Legal Background For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship. The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees. Numerous adopted individuals fear immigration raids despite arriving in the US as minors Current Fears These concerns for adoptees and their families have increased substantially since recent political changes. Advocacy organizations 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 pleas for assistance," said an attorney working with adoptee cases. Stateless Feeling "Ultimately, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she said. "I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated. "As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country." Shirley, now in her 60s, urges the president to help finally grant her, and others like her, citizenship Potential Solution Despite adoptees 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 guardians 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 for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories. "I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated. "We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America made to every of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."