One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father was a member of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up living a life comparable with those of most American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to question her American identity.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her government identification and required a new one.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their relatives have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney specializing in adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"It should be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented an attorney.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the promise that the United States made to every of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
