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 US armed forces, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most American youths.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Her life progressed for many years with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card and required a new one.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your personal history. 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 said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their 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 ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and honor with the commitment that America made to every of the babies that were brought here: US nationality."
