🔗 Share this article US Children Adopted Abroad Facing Anxiety of Removal to Forgotten Countries of Origin An adoptee, right, and another adoptee choosing to remain unnamed One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family during 1966. Born in the Korean peninsula, her biological father served of the American military, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born. "He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties. Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State. An American Upbringing She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most American youths. "I moved and breathed and found mischief like many American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls. Shirley had a childhood much like those of most American children Shirley had children, got married and worked as a piano teacher. Life carried on for decades with no reason to doubt her American identity. But then in 2012, her world came crashing down. Discovering Non-Citizen Status She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement. But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country. "I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains. A Common Issue This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000. Numerous adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations. Another individual from Iran, who requested anonymity Additional Account A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler. "I settled into my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says. Legal Background For decades, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship. The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees. Many of the adoptees fear immigration raids although they came in the US as children Current Fears Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially since shifts in administration. Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view. "When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted an attorney working with adoptee cases. 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. "As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless." Shirley, now in her 60s, urges government leaders to provide her, and similar individuals, legal status Potential Solution Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from across the political spectrum. "This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be equal to their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate. Final Plea The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences. "I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she stated. "We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and honor with the promise that America gave each one of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."