One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life similar to that of many young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to question her American identity.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further since recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted an attorney working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your personal history. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined 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 decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could get the US president 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 got on those planes: US nationality."
