One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father was a member of the American military, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, 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 US couple, who brought her to Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief like many American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my existence, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
Those fears for adoptees and their families have increased substantially since recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"From my perspective currently, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"It should be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said an attorney.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our story and honor with the promise that the United States gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
