One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can express it," says Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to Texas.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to question her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her Social Security card and required a new one.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. 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, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, intercountry adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional specializing in adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, 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 frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, attorneys believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the promise that the United States made to every of the babies that were brought here: US nationality."
