A 42-year-old Korean adoptee who was deported in 2012 was found dead in Korea, an apparent suicide. Phillip Clay was adopted at age 10, and his adoptive parents never secured his US citizenship. There is so much about this story by You Soo-sun in The Korea Times that is devastating and sad. One particularly devastating detail is that Phillip Clay was sent back to a country where he knew no one, probably did not speak the language, and lacked necessary and vital support. (You may recall the case of Adam Crapser, also deported to Korea, who is quoted in the article.)
As noted here many times, US citizenship is not always automatic for people who are adopted. Only a Certificate of Citizenship proves citizenship.
Thank you to my friend Sveta, who lives in Korea, for sending me this link.
May Phillip Clay rest in peace.~
ShareThisTags: Adam Crapser, Certificate of Citizenship and adoption, deported adoptees, intercountry adoption, international adoption, Phillip Clay