Following passage of the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (CCA), KJ had believed she was a U.S. citizen. Eventually, she discovered the devastating reality that she had missed the cut-off date to qualify for citizenship under the CCA by less than a year, and thus lacked the basic rights and protections of citizenship and was legally deportable.
When KJ was 30, immigration enforcement officials announced that they would pursue KJ’s deportation to India. At that time, the Indian government refused to accept KJ, stating that it was a human rights violation to deport an adoptee who was legally adopted as a child by a U.S. citizen parent. KJ was left stateless, in limbo.
Today, ten years sober, KJ struggles with PTSD as a result of her encounters with immigration officials and the threat of deportation. KJ also experiences challenges due to having multiple sclerosis, a debilitating nervous system disease. She has been able to secure counseling through a nonprofit and receives financial support from her partner. KJ hopes to get a work permit so she can gain legal employment and access to health insurance.
To help KJ and other adoptees without citizenship, help pass the Adoptee Citizenship Act!