🔗 Share this article US Children Adopted Abroad Living in Fear of Removal to Unfamiliar Countries of Origin An adoptee, right, along with a fellow adoptee choosing anonymity One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966. Born in South Korea, her birth father served 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 brought her to Texas. An American Upbringing Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many young Americans. "I lived and breathed and got in trouble like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls. Shirley had an upbringing similar to that of many American children She became a mother, got married and became a music instructor. Life carried on for many years with no reason to doubt her American identity. However in 2012, her life was turned upside down. Discovering Non-Citizen Status She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement. But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country. "I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains. Widespread Problem This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without 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 of Iranian origin, who requested anonymity Another Story Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of government officials, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old. "I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states. Legal Background Over many years, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship. The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees. Numerous adopted individuals are concerned about enforcement actions although they came in the US as children Current Fears Those fears for adoptees and their families have risen even further since shifts in administration. Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view. "When the election results came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted an attorney specializing in 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 expressed. "I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said. "As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless." The adoptee, currently elderly, appeals to government leaders to provide her, and similar individuals, citizenship Possible Resolution Despite adoptees being left in limbo for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should unite people 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 moment of their 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 explain their stories. "I would request to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she stated. "We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the commitment that America made to every of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."