One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can express it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most American youths.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble 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 many years with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.
Another Story
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
For decades, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their families have risen even further since recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter 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 time of birth," commented an attorney.
Final Plea
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. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that America gave each one of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
