One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family during 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her biological father served 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.
An American Upbringing
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle 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 recalls.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for many years with little cause to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But 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 after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Historical Context
For decades, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their families have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted a legal professional specializing in adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, 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 guardians who were American nationals at the time of birth," said a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the promise that the United States gave each one of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
