One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
An American Upbringing
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle similar to those of most young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief like many American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my life, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said a legal professional working with adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of political will that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America made to every of the babies that were brought here: US nationality."
