One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and worked as a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to question her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card and required a new one.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adoptees have been deported to their nations of origin in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my existence, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further following recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"From my perspective right now, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our story and honor with the promise that the United States made to every of the children that were brought here: US nationality."