🔗 Share this article American Adoptees Facing Anxiety of Deportation to Forgotten Countries of Origin Shirley Chung, right, along with another adoptee choosing to remain unnamed Shirley Chung was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple during 1966. Hailing from South Korea, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born. "He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, now 61. Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to Texas. Growing Up American Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many American youths. "I lived and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls. She experienced an upbringing much like those of most American children Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a music instructor. Her life progressed for decades with little cause to doubt her American identity. But then in 2012, her world came crashing down. Discovering Non-Citizen Status She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement. But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her legal standing in the country. "I experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains. Widespread Problem This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000. Numerous adoptees have been deported to their nations of origin in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations. An adoptee from Iran, who requested to not be identified Additional Account A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler. "I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states. Historical Context For decades, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship. The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees. Numerous adopted individuals are concerned about enforcement actions despite arriving in the US as minors Present Concerns These concerns for adoptees and their families have increased substantially following shifts in administration. Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view. "Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney 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 your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed. "I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said. "From my perspective currently, I feel stateless." The adoptee, currently elderly, urges government leaders to provide her, and others like her, citizenship Potential Solution Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties. "It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were American nationals at the time of birth," said an attorney. Last Appeal Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories. "I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated. "We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that America gave each one of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."