(Newswire.net — April 4, 2015) — Portland, OR — Adam Crapser was born in Korea, and was adopted by a US family when he was a baby. Now, 40 years later, he defends his right to US citizenship because his foster family neglected him as a child, and they didn’t fill out the proper forms for adoption.
Adam spent his whole life in the US and now faces deportation to South Korea, a country he knows nothing about, and which language he does not speak, only because he was born there.
The incomplete adoption paperwork was not the only problem. According to KPTV news that published the story, Crapser and his sister both came to the United States from South Korea when he was 3 years old. They were later abandoned by their adoptive parents, separated into foster care and then sent separate ways.
His sister was adopted by a family and got her citizenship, while Crapser ended up with abusive foster parents who neglected to finalize his naturalization.
Crapser ended up homeless, forced to survive on his own. Several decades later, he has a job and is happily married with one child and another on the way.
A couple of years ago, Crapser tried to update his legal status, however, it turns out that important legal documents were missing. On the other side, previous felony charges jumped out in the system. Now, Crasper faces the possibility of being deported back to Korea.
“I won’t make it if you send me. You’re sentencing me to death for crimes I’ve already done hard time for,” Crapser said. “Listen to my voice. I’m an American. I’ve been here my whole life. I don’t know anything else.”
Congress passed a bill in 2009, making all international adoptees automatic US citizens. Unfortunately, the law isn’t retroactive, so Crapser and other adoptees like him live in fear of deportation.
Reportedly, US Senator Jeff Merkley along with some other senators are proposing a standalone bill to extend US citizenship to all international adoptees.
In the meantime, Crapser continues his fight in court. His next hearing is scheduled for June, KPTV reported.