🔗 Share this article US Children Adopted Abroad Facing Anxiety of Removal to Forgotten Homelands Shirley Chung, right, and a fellow adoptee who requested anonymity One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966. Born in South Korea, her birth father was a member of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born. "He left us behind, is the nicest way I can express it," says Shirley, now 61. Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to Texas. Growing Up American She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most young Americans. "I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says. She experienced a childhood much like that of many American children Shirley had children, got married and worked as a piano teacher. Her life progressed for many years with no reason to doubt her US citizenship. But then in 2012, her world came crashing down. Citizenship Crisis She misplaced her Social Security card and required a new one. But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country. "I had an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains. A Common Issue Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000. Dozens adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations. Another individual from Iran, who requested anonymity Additional Account Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler. "I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says. Historical Context Over many years, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship. The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad. Numerous adopted individuals are concerned about enforcement actions although they came in the US as minors Present Concerns These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further following recent political changes. Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding. "Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said an attorney working with adoptee cases. Stateless Feeling "At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed. "I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated. "From my perspective right now, I feel stateless." Shirley, currently elderly, appeals to government leaders to provide her, and others like her, citizenship Possible Resolution Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should gain bipartisan support 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 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 request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated. "We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and honor with the commitment that the United States made to every of the children that were brought here: US nationality."