One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the American military, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up living a life comparable with that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to question her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing 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 needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Another Story
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Legal Background
Over many years, intercountry adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
Those fears for adoptees and their families have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said a legal professional working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of political will that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were US citizens at the time of birth," said an attorney.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and honor with the promise that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
