US Adoptees Living in Fear of Deportation to Unfamiliar Homelands

One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.

Hailing from South Korea, her biological father was a member of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.

"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.

After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.

An American Upbringing

She was raised living a life similar to those of most American youths.

"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.

Shirley had children, got married and became a music instructor.

Life carried on for decades with little cause to doubt her US citizenship.

But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.

Discovering Non-Citizen Status

She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.

But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.

"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.

Widespread Problem

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

Numerous adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.

Another Story

A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.

"I adapted to my existence, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.

Legal Background

Over many years, international adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.

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

Present Concerns

Those fears for adoptees and their relatives have increased substantially following shifts in administration.

Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.

"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.

Lacking National Identity

"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.

"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.

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

Possible Resolution

Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, 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 a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.

Last Appeal

Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.

"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.

"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and honor with the promise that America gave each one of the children that were brought here: US nationality."