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South Korean Adoptee's Shocking Citizenship Crisis Sparks Advocacy

4/20/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A South Korean adoptee, A, faced a shocking reality when applying for a passport: she wasn't a U.S. citizen. Her adoptive parents had never finalized her naturalization, putting her at risk of deportation during a time of strict immigration policies. Advocates are calling on Congress to close citizenship gaps for adoptees, many of whom discover their precarious status only as adults.

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Story summary

A South Korean adoptee, A, faced a shocking reality when applying for a passport: she wasn't a U.S. citizen. Her adoptive parents had never finalized her naturalization, putting her at risk of deportation during a time of strict immigration policies. Advocates are calling on Congress to close citizenship gaps for adoptees, many of whom discover their precarious status only as adults.