🔗 Share this article

One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.

Born in South Korea, her biological father was a member of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.

"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, now 61.

Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.

Growing Up American

She was raised living a life comparable with that of many young Americans.

"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.

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

Life carried on for many years 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.

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

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

Widespread Problem

This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.

Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.

Additional Account

Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.

"I settled into my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.

Legal Background

For decades, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.

Current Fears

These concerns for adoptees and their families have risen even further since shifts in administration.

Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.

"When the election results came in, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said an attorney specializing in adoption law.

Stateless Feeling

"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care 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 said.

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

Potential Solution

Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.

"This ought to be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," said a legal advocate.

Final Plea

The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.

"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she said.

"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that the United States gave each one of the children that were brought here: American citizenship."