One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her biological father was a member of the American military, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle similar to those of most American youths.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a music instructor.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her government identification and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her government agency, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my life, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Legal Background
For decades, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would ask him 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 please follow through with the commitment that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
