Shirley Chung, adopted by an American family at the age of one in 1966, was born in South Korea to a military father and a mother who could not care for her. Following her adoption, she grew up in Texas, living what she considered a typical American childhood. However, in 2012, when seeking a replacement for her lost Social Security card, she learned that she did not possess U.S. citizenship. This revelation led to significant distress, prompting her to reflect on her identity and the implications of her status.
Shirley’s experience is not unique. Estimates suggest that between 18,000 and 75,000 American adoptees might lack citizenship, sometimes remaining unaware of their status. The issue has led to deportations, with some adoptees finding themselves sent back to their countries of birth, often linked to legal troubles. Advocates for adoptee rights highlight that many cases stem from incomplete paperwork during the adoption process.
Another adoptee from Iran, who prefers to remain anonymous, experienced similar circumstances. Adopted in 1973, she lived her life believing she was a U.S. citizen until a failed passport application brought her status into question. She expressed feelings of disconnection and erasure from her original culture, and concern about being categorized as an immigrant due to a bureaucratic oversight.
Historically, intercountry adoptions did not guarantee automatic U.S. citizenship. While the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 addressed some of these issues for future adoptees, those who came before it remain affected by this gap in legislation. Efforts to amend the law and extend citizenship to older adoptees face ongoing challenges in Congress.
Adoptee rights organizations report increased requests for assistance, particularly with rising concerns over immigration policies. Many adoptees express fear of being detained or deported despite their status as children adopted into American families. Community support is critical, as advocates call for urgency in addressing the citizenship issue for those who were promised a place in American society through adoption.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy1n438dk4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss