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Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple 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 abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.

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

An American Upbringing

She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many American youths.

"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.

She became a mother, got married and worked as a music instructor.

Life carried on for decades with little cause to question her American identity.

However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.

Discovering Non-Citizen Status

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

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

"I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.

Widespread Problem

Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.

Dozens adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.

Another Story

A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.

"I adapted to my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.

Legal Background

Over many years, 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 children adopted from abroad.

Present Concerns

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

Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.

"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said an attorney working with adoption law.

Lacking National Identity

"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.

"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.

"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."

Possible Resolution

Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.

"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: 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 an attorney.

Last Appeal

The adoptee hopes she could get the US president into a room, so she and others like her could share their experiences.

"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.

"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and honor with the promise that the United States made to every of the children that were brought here: American citizenship."