🔗 Share this article US Adoptees Living in Fear of Deportation to Forgotten Countries of Origin An adoptee, right, along with another adoptee who requested to remain unnamed One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966. Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological 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," states Shirley, currently in her sixties. Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to Texas. Growing Up American She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many American youths. "I lived and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says. Shirley had an upbringing similar to those of most American children Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher. Her life progressed for decades with little cause to question her American identity. However in 2012, her world came crashing down. Citizenship Crisis She misplaced her Social Security card and required a new one. However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country. "I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains. Widespread Problem This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000. Numerous adopted individuals have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups. An adoptee from Iran, who requested anonymity Additional Account A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from Iran 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 says. Legal Background Over many years, international adoptions authorized through 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. Numerous adopted individuals are concerned about enforcement actions although they came in the US as minors Current Fears Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially since shifts in administration. Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding. "When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said an attorney working with adoption law. Lacking National Identity "At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said. "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 without a country." The adoptee, currently elderly, appeals to the president to provide her, and others like her, citizenship Possible Resolution Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties. "This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate. Last Appeal Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories. "I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said. "We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and honor with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."