One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.
Born in South Korea, 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 express it," states Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up living a life similar to those of most young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for many years with little cause to question her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she says.
Legal Background
For decades, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further following recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted an attorney specializing in adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"From my perspective currently, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be a straightforward fix: children through adoption 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.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"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. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that the United States made to every of the children that were brought here: US nationality."
